Obituary of Barbara Carr McKee

Barbara Carr !McKee Allegany, NY- Barbara Carr !McKee, 50, died Monday evening, June 2, 2003, at her home in Allegany with her husband, Daniel, at her side after courageously facing a recurrence of cancer. She was born Dec. 8, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan, a daughter of Lt. Colonel Robert Z. and Josephine L. Lowe. On Jan. 1, 2003, she married the Rev. Dr. Daniel H. !McKee, a Presbyterian minister. Barbara gave her time and diverse talents, and shared her joy in the wonder of life, with the St. Bonaventure University community for more than 15 years. She joined the University advancement staff in August 1987 as associate director of development, and was promoted to director of development in October 1989. She served as vice president for university relations from 1991 to 1995 and as director of planned giving from 1995 to 1999, when she accepted her current position as director of major gifts. She began her career at the University of Missouri-Columbia as coordinator of development and research in 1985. In addition to promoting and celebrating St. Bonaventure's annual Scholarship Luncheon, which was renamed this year in her honor, the results of her efforts for St. Bonaventure include endowed scholarships, the establishment of the Seraphim Society, The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, the Lenna Visiting Professorship, gifts to the Franciscan Institute and Mt. Irenaeus retreat, the Feast of St. Francis celebration, and many more. "Few in life touch so many with a goodness that is as pure and fresh and filled with as much joy as we all know and love in Barbara Carr !McKee. She embodies the Franciscan values - of peace, love, joy, contemplation, respect for the dignity of everyone, and compassionate service - that are central to St. Bonaventure University and give it its true meaning and reason for existing while making it as special as it, and she, are," former president Dr. Robert J. Wickenheiser said in naming the Annual Scholarship Luncheon after her. Barbara's giving of herself extended far beyond her work. She was active in the community, serving on the board of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Olean Community Foundation, and was formerly active with the Olean Rotary Club. She held several leadership positions with the Friends of Good Music, and was active as a volunteer with University ministries, in particular with liturgical dance. She was an accomplished ballet dancer, receiving honored dance scholarships. Barbara also served in leadership with the General Lay Contemplative Association at the Abbey of the Genesee. She held master's degrees in library science and art history and a bachelor's degree in classical archaeology from the University of Missouri at Columbia, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Surviving in addition to her husband, Daniel, are her mother, Josephine of Tacoma, Wash.; her brothers, Lloyd Lowe of Seattle, Wash., and Robert Lowe of Yelm, Wash.; her sister, Sharon Lee Weldon of Eugene, Ore; and 12 nieces and nephews.. She was preceded in death by her father. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 8, in the Robert R. Jones Board of Trustees Room, Doyle Hall, St. Bonaventure University. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 9, in the University Chapel, Doyle Hall, with the Rev. Robert !McCreary officiating. She will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the "Barbara Carr !McKee Endowment Fund" at St. Bonaventure University.