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LAURA MacKENZIE Obituary
LAURA JEAN MacKENZIE
Laura Jean MacKenzie passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2014, a day after her 58th birthday. She was comforted by her husband, Craig Duda, and mother, Thelma Lucille MacKenzie of Daytona Beach, FL, at her home bedside. Also survived by brothers, Bruce MacKenzie of Cincinnati, OH and Gary MacKenzie of Seattle, WA; their respective families, and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.Predeceased by her father, John U. MacKenzie. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel at University of Maryland, 1101 Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. A reception immediately follows at the Shepherd Gallery at the College Park Marriott Inn/Hotel & Conference Center, 3501 University Blvd. East, Hyattsville, MD 20783. Flowers for display can be sent directly to either the Chapel or Shepherd Gallery at the Conference Center. Donations in Laura's memory can be made to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.
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Memories and Condolences
for LAURA MacKENZIE
Charles Wallace
September 4, 2014
I was very saddened to hear of Laura's passing. I am Director of the accounting organization in New Orleans. I worked with Laura for several years. She was always gracious , smart and great to work with. We have truly lost a wonderful person and co worker.
May God bless and comfort her family.
Bruce Lee
August 25, 2014
I belatedly learned about Laura's passing. Got to know her early on at the USDA, and thought she would be very successful in her career. She met all expectations. A beautiful lady both inside and out. May God take good care of her !!!
July 26, 2014
It was an honor for both my husband Paul and I to work with Laura at APHIS. We both respected her abilities and knowledge, and her sense of fairness and fun. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Diane Eggert
Birmingham, AL
Daphne Reid
July 24, 2014
It was good to know and work for Laura. She was indeed a lady.
2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
July 23, 2014
craig & lou. how do you express the passing of a person you have met only once or twice. we felt truly saddened by laura's passing. she sat in front of our computer for two hours repairing it. with a great sense of humor. we know her mother well and the fight you three had was beautiful. all i can say is she lost the battle but won the war. she is at peace now. we send our love. bill & zoe glidden. daytona beach fl.
Brian Coyel
July 22, 2014
Craig,
I was so sorry to hear about Laura's passing. I find it difficult to use words like was and were about someone always so full of life. So many good times were had at the pool parties and after softball games. She will be missed by all, none more than you. Hang in there.
Tom and Linda Sanders
July 22, 2014
Craig, I don't know what made me look up Laura tonight only to find that she had passed away. I have great memories of Laura as a friend at work and our fun together in the early years at AMS. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tammie Long
July 22, 2014
Laura was a great person to work for and made it enjoyable to come to work. She was truely an inspiration and will be missed. You and your entire family are in my thoughts.
Eileen Berke
July 22, 2014
Laura inspired those of us who had the privilege to work with her. A wonderful manager and a true professional. She is sorely missed.
Tom Grahek
July 21, 2014
I worked for Laura for many years and I learned so much from her. She always brought smiles to the people around her and had this way of lighting up the room. In short, she inspired me and I learned so much from her.
Donna Rock
July 19, 2014
Craig,
I've been trying to think of something to say for days now, but there are no words.
Just know I am thinking of you.....
Donna Rock
Linda and Paul Trader
July 19, 2014
We were fortunate to have known Laura. Our hearts were touched by this amazing woman. She brought sunshine and laughter every time she visited Daytona Beach. She will surely be missed.
July 18, 2014
Oh Laura. What can I say about my buddy except to thank you for our 40 year friendship and I love you so very much. I know you are hovering over all of us and giving us peace. I know you are not hurting anymore. I know all of that, but it is still hard to understand that I can't call you anymore. I left your birthday voicemail on and I will treasure that forever, as well as our serious, silly, and random conversations. I will feel you in my garden. I love you and thank you so much for being in my life.
Jacqui Boulavsky (Michael's gardenia blossom :)
Chemin Bolden
July 18, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Laura over the years in APHIS. She was a great person to know and work with and she and I shared many long conversations about anything and everything when she was in Riverdale. She was one of the few down-to-earth SES-ers in our agency and I will miss her dearly. She made me smile every time I saw her. Rest in peace Laura.
Gail, Tom, Lauren & Sam Mroczka
July 17, 2014
Craig,
We are so honored that we had the opportunity to get to know Laura and be able to call her friend. We loved her smile, laugh, compassion and great big heart. She had such a quiet firm hand when it came to business as well. We'll miss her but she's with us forever in our hearts and memories.
July 17, 2014
I worked with Laura for many years, mostly virtually from Minnesota. When you talked with her over the phone her wonderful smile came through her voice! She was a humble leader who cared about her employees. She often came out to Minnesota for retirements of long term employees, and she never missed an opportunity to ask how ones family was! She was a gracious lady who will be missed.
Pam Lyons
Connie Barnes
July 17, 2014
Laura was more than a supervisor to me and to many people. She is the whole reason I am as far in my career as I am. She never gave up on me and taught me to have confidence in myself when I couldn't find it. I am so blessed to have had her as part of my life and I will forever love her and cherish every moment I got to spend with her.
July 17, 2014
No one cared more about her employees, customers and agency. She was a great lady and a privilege to know.
July 17, 2014
I am very sorry about your loss. I pray that you can celebrate the life and legacy that Laura leaves behind. Laura was a very professional lady with a kind heart and spirit. People who knew her could see she was true from the inside-out. God bless you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cathy Timms
Darlene Scott
July 17, 2014
Lauara was a nice person to work for & with & will be missed
Donna Ford
July 17, 2014
Craig,
Some of my best years at APHIS was because Laura was my supervisor. She was a wonderful person. I can still here her laugh and words of encouragement. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa Neighbors
July 17, 2014
My heart goes out to you and your family. Sending prayers of comfort for all Laura touched.
Terry Elswick
July 17, 2014
Craig, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
July 17, 2014
Craig-you know how much Laura meant to us. Larry was especially grateful to both of you in his time of need many years ago. We have too many memories to count, from football and basketball games, New Orleans, Med cruise, Peach Bowl-I could go on. Laura was so brave and never gave up. That is what we will especially remember the most about her.
Love,
Joan and Larry
July 17, 2014
Words cannot express the feeling of loss that all of us have that have known Laura for so many years. She was one of the best friends anyone could have, always positive, even throughout her illness, and always there for you when you needed her. We shared many happy hours, vacations, football and basketball games, as well as talks on the phone and various parties for any occasion. And she was a very loving wife, daughter, sister and friend. Laura-you will always be in my heart and my memories forever.
Joan and Larry
Jerry Higdon
July 17, 2014
I am so sorry to hear that Laura has passed. She was an amazing person and will be missed by everyone that she touched. I have fond memories with her and fun times that I was fortunate to share. Im certain in many ways she will always be apart of your life and I am here for you Craig if you need anything at all.
My thoughts and prayers always.
July 17, 2014
Craig,
We are so sorry to hear about Laura. I hope you fond memories and time spent with her will stay close to your heart. Dave & Meg Asher
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