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Thomas Brooke "Tom" MACKENZIE

About

Harvard University

Thomas MACKENZIE Obituary

Of St. Paul Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 15th, 2023 from complications of Parkinson's disease. Tom, born in 1944, was the oldest child of Cosmo and Julia Mackenzie (nee Buzz). Tom was born in Florida and grew up in Denver where he excelled at school and sports, especially football. Always self-deprecating, Tom described his state championship football team as "small, but slow." In 1962, Tom attended Harvard University where he would go on to study medicine. During his residency at Dartmouth, Tom met the love of his life Jane Mackenzie (nee Burleson). They married in 1976 and moved to Minnesota where they raised three children together, Colin, Abigail, and Rebecca. In 2013, Tom retired after 30 years from the University of Minnesota where he worked as a psychiatrist and professor in addition to running the psychiatry residency program. An advocate for whole-patient care, he encouraged his students to get to know their patients. The achievement he was most proud of was being selected by students to speak at graduation. Tom spent the last decade of his life caring for Jane who suffered from early onset dementia. He will be remembered for his intellect, curiosity, humor, ability to discuss any subject, creative approach to cooking, and his commitment to caring for others. He loved cycling, coffee, sweets, Scotch, William Steig children's books, opera music and movies (if you're looking for recommendations, his top 5 were Casablanca, Tin Men, Diner, Wizard of Oz, and Singin' in the Rain). He was unwavering in his devotion to his family. Tom's last words were, "I have so much to be grateful for." To use one of his favorite phrases, he was a good kid. We love you, dad. Tom is survived by his sister Julie Terry (Lonnie); children (Colin, Abigail (Ben) and Rebecca (Sam); and grandchildren, Gus, Aurora, Lucia, Hugo, Owen, and Callum; niece Gretchen Leonard (Lance); and great-nephew (Hudson). In lieu of flowers please donate to the U of MN Medical School Future Physicians Scholarship.

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Published by Pioneer Press on Sep. 20, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas MACKENZIE

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

14 Entries

Nancy Lindquist

May 20, 2025

Another year has passed and I miss you in this world. I loved your wry smile and hint of sarcasm.

Anne McLaurin

January 7, 2024

'What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.'
William Wordsworth

Dr Mackenzie was my doctor for 16 years, until he stopped seeing patients in 2013 to care for his wife. I would google his name from time to time; just to be sure of him. This time my search took me here. I thought he would live forever. My grief is undying. Knowing he was out there somewhere assured me everything was going to be alright. He was the smartest man I ever knew. My vocabulary improved tremendously while in his care. I bought a hardback copy of a dictionary,covered it in brown paper and titled it; Mackenzie 101.
I highlighted every new word he exposed me to.
He was happy to see me everytime. Everytime. How do I tell the whole story of who he was and what he brought into my life? Words can never be enough.
I will miss him all the rest of my days.
Anne McLaurin
Patient

Lyly Tran

September 29, 2023

Sending you my condolences, Abbey. Thinking of you and your family during this time.

Marjorie Habenicht

September 28, 2023

Tom and I worked together at CUHCC ( Community University Health Care Center). Along with Jerry Kroll and many other talented and dedicated staff we developed the refugee mental Health program. I loved working with Tom and appreciated all of his professional and personal characteristics that others have already written about. I felt privileged to know Jane and the "kids" and have a wonderful picture of Tom and Becca dancing at my wedding. I´ve heard from Tom every Christmas since we moved to CA and he always updated us about each of his children and grandchildren. Those were treasured cards up to the last one in 2022! The world has lost a great man and I have lost a dear friend. My heart goes out to the family for their loss. Marjorie Habenicht

Barry Rittberg

September 25, 2023

Tom was my favorite attending. He had more impact on my career than anyone else. I miss him. I miss his irreverence and humility. I miss his belief that everyone had an important story to tell and to learn from.

Gregory Vercellotti

September 22, 2023

Tom was one of the most inspirational teachers ever in our medical school. His brilliance, sense of humor, compassion, and kindness shaped so many students, residents and doctors. I enjoyed golfing with him laughing through 18 holes.His self deprecation and humility made him so admired. I cherish the CD of Valentines Day love songs he gave all the guests at a dinner at his home with Jane.

Quynh Anh Nguyen

September 22, 2023

He was a wonderful professor in the classroom and a great mentor (even for this future internist) out of the classroom. My condolences to his family and friends.

Gregory Vercellotti

September 22, 2023

Tom was the smartest doctor I ever met. His humor, honesty, caring, sense of humor and warmth inspired so many students , faculty and patients. We loved golfing together and enjoyed discussing the state of the world and medical school. When I was in the Dean's office at the med school he was a valued counselor with wisdom and guidance regarding the training of future doctors. He recognized arrogance and was quick to burst these bubbles. He was so caring and compassionate, welcoming especially to students from underserved backgrounds.He was one of the best teachers in the medical school running the behavorial science course for first year students. He was so innovative,provocative, scientifically rigorous and inspiring, lauded with numerous teaching awards
I miss him and Jane dearly. I still have the CD of Valentines Day love songs he gave my wife and me at a dinner at their St Paul home.Thanks Tom for making my life more meaningful and fun

Nancy Lindquist

September 21, 2023

I am so saddened by the news of Dr Mackenzie´s death. I worked with him in Residents clinic as a RN. I loved his frankness and wry sense of humor. He shared his wisdom with all of us and we were the better for it. My deepest condolences to his family and close friends. I feel privileged to have known him.

Bev Long

September 21, 2023

Tom was an amazing influence on many, many people - his colleagues, his students, his patients - everyone. I am so sad to hear of his passing. I will remember him walking his bike up the stairs and down the hall to his office, even when it was well below zero and there was lots of snow. He proudly showed me the protective covers on the handle grips that he said he got from his children that kept his hands dry and warmer in the winter. He was such a dear, dear soul. Rest in peace, Tom. You were a hero to many of us.

Mike Rafferty

September 21, 2023

I knew Dr. Mackenzie from medical school and psychiatry residency at UofM and spoke with him once while visiting after leaving the state following training. My class, all UofM grads, entered the year he became the residency director, and were thrilled to learn we would train under his guidance. He was a quotable and indelible presence who will not be forgotten. My deep condolences to all his loved ones.

Jennifer Janacek

September 21, 2023

I want to send my deepest condolences. I know I speak for so many people on how much he taught me and made me a better person. I am thinking of all the fun times I had working for him at the U of MN, Dept of Psychiatry. I think of all the times he was working in his bike gear. I loved his honest tell it how it is personality. Jennifer Janacek

ANN MATHEWS

September 19, 2023

Thinking about you and your family, Abbey.
Ann Mathews

Julia Berg

September 19, 2023

Condolences to you and your family, Abbey. My grandmother, Tilly, also passed away from complications due to Parkinson's. Sending you and your family lots of love as you mourn your dad.

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