Lee Ann McNerney

With deep sadness, we announce the death of Lee Ann McNerney on the 7th August, 2025. Lee Ann was 61 years old. She was born to Jerry and Carole McNerney at Salem Memorial Hospital on 29th May, 1964. Lee Ann was raised in Woodburn, Oregon, and graduated from Woodburn High School. Her early life in Woodburn consisted of working in the berry fields, managing the Woodburn public pool, and focusing on music and school, excelling in cross-country and long-distance track. Her memory will be cherished by those who knew her.
After graduating from Woodburn High School, Lee Ann studied at Pacific Lutheran University and Portland State University, graduating with a BA in Education and Spanish. She excelled in both cross country and track at both schools. Following her graduation and intrigued by her studies abroad in Spain, she joined the Peace Corps. Her two year obligation placed her in the Dominican Republic, where she worked in remote villages building latrines and making sanitation improvements. When not working on her projects, she played guitar and sang in local Dominican restaurants. She loved her work and requested an extension to her service in order to complete her projects. Unfortunately, on her way home, she lost her leg in a tragic bus accident where many died.
The accident and amputation, however, did not slow Lee Ann down. Her indomitable spirit led her to swim and train for the 1922 Para-Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. She represented the United States Para-Olympic team and cherished the challenge and thrill of the event. She was a living inspiration.
Following the Para-Olympics, Lee Ann made the commitment to pursue advanced degrees in Education. She completed her Master's at Columbia University in New York, and her PhD in Education at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Soon after graduating, she gained a position at Eastern Oregon University as a Professor of Education where she taught for over 22 years.
Lee Ann will be remembered for her unwavering faith in God, humor, unrestrained laughter, wit, intelligence, and boundless generosity. She was a devoted caretaker of her cats and avid supporter of rescue shelters, was a loving daughter, and exceptionally wonderful sister.
She is survived by her sister, Jeri Reinertsen (Chris) of Tigard, Oregon, and her brother Jon McNerney (Cathy) of London, England; her nieces Maggie, Caitlin, Madeline, Gillen, and her nephew Connor.
A private family burial is being planned.