James J. Lally M.D.

James J. Lally, M.D., 85, of Kansas City, MO, passed away June 17, 2003. The challenges of his life were for him the most important part of personal experience. He thrived on solving his patients' ills; no time was ever wasted when it came to putting the answers together for many people who sought and received his expertise as a physician. His days spent at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, his hometown, and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, were highlights of his early career. Born in Chicago, IL, to Dr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes Lally, he grew up in the suburb of Blue Island, IL, and attended St. Benedict's Parish School and Mt. Carmel High School. For over 48 years, he was a surgeon at Kansas City's St. Mary's Hospital, and President of the staff from 1979-1981. He also shared his knowledge as a consultant and teacher/lecturer on the staff of the former General Hospital and Truman Medical Center. Upon retiring he wrote a health advice column for The Kansas City Star. His best known book was the "Over 50 Health Manual," published by Prentice Hall. He invented and patented many surgical instruments and safety apparatuses, among them "The Upper Hand Retractor" and the "Cardio Massager." For over 15 years, he developed the "Hypoxic Necrosis Cancer Research Project," first at Midwest Research Institute, and later at his laboratory at UMKC Medical School; it was a program designed for the investigative treatment of breast cancer. His dedication to this endeavor is well known to his colleagues and friends. His determination to find a cure, a clue, a therapy, for this rapacious disease became truly heroic in its scope. Among his many other affiliations and surgical entities, he was on the staff of St. Joseph Hospital, Trinity Lutheran Hospital, was an Honorary Director of Rockhurst University, a Fellow of the Association of Clinical Scientist and served on the Medical School Board of Northwestern University. He was a Board Director of the Old American Insurance Company, belonged to the Society of Fellows of the Nelson Gallery, and a charter member of the Carriage Club. James J. Lally, M.D., is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Elaine Bourke Lally; a son, Mark Timothy Lally; a daughter, Martha Mary Lally; and sisters, Margaret Lally Malone, Milwaukee, WI, and Theresa Lally Brennan, Brussels, Belgium. The family thanks his many friends, caregivers and devoted clergy supporters for prayers and thoughtful kindnesses during the past year. Their acts of affectionate attention will be a cherished part of his memory, forever. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Agnes Church, Fairway, KS, on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 10 a.m. with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at Muehlebach Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, with a Rosary at 5 p.m. Please, no flowers, it is suggested you use a charity of your choice. (Arrangements: Muehlebach Funeral Home)