WILMINGTON — Catherine McKeon, 67, a pioneer in genetic research, loving wife and mother of two, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at New Hanover Medical Center after suddenly collapsing in the garden at her home.
Born in 1953 to Donald and Alba McKeon, Catherine grew up in Massapequa, Long Island, with her two sisters, Maureen and Sharon; and brother, Michael. As the eldest of four children, Catherine was always a caretaker. A love of music runs in the family and Catherine enjoyed playing the piano. Her favorite piece was “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy.
She attended SUNY Buffalo for her undergraduate degree and the Medical College of Virginia for her master’s degree, where she graduated from with a Ph.D. in Human Genetics in 1980. While studying in Virginia, she met Richard “Rick” Michek, and they married July 28, 1984, in a small ceremony in Connecticut. Catherine always wanted a family, and she and Rick have two daughters, Alyssa and Jessica. Of all her accomplishments, she was proudest of her girls.
Catherine spent 33 years at the National Institutes of Health, where she became the senior advisor for genetic research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). She played a vital role in the evolution of gene therapy, administering a variety of research programs on the genetics of multiple disorders such as type 2 diabetes, genetic metabolic diseases and cystic fibrosis. She oversaw grants for Nobel Prize winning research and was a recipient of the inaugural Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.
In her retirement years, she moved to Wilmington with her husband Rick, and they enjoyed the quiet life. Catherine loved making pottery at Cameron Art Museum and Orange Street Pottery. She designed her dream home on the North East Cape Fear River, where she spent her last days.
She was loved and will be deeply missed.
A time of visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at Wilmington Funeral Chapel.
Donations may be made in her name to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Share online condolences with the family at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
