Lori Ann McQueen
December 19, 1961 ~ August 13, 2015
Lori Ann McQueen, Ed.D., 53, Gloucester, MA. Dr. McQueen died peacefully August 13 at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA after a 5-year battle with Stage IV breast cancer. She was born December 19, 1961 in New York City and raised in the nearby suburb of Pelham. Dr. McQueen excelled in athletics as a young woman, competing in lacrosse, field hockey and basketball at Pelham Memorial High School (class of 1979). She played lacrosse at State University of New York at Cortland, where she earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. Dr. McQueen later earned a master's degree in sports management at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, and a doctorate in higher education at Florida State University. Dr. McQueen held teaching, administrative and management positions at Loyola University Maryland; Champlain College (VT); University of Missouri-Kansas City; Springfield College (MA); New York University; Teachers College, Columbia University; Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics); The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); and Executive Sports International, where she founded the Collegiate Consulting Group. An avid lifelong learner, she amassed a considerable personal library, largely containing historical biographies. Dr. McQueen is survived by her husband of 20 years, Ron Mott, Gloucester, MA; parents Joseph and Barbara (Bollettieri) McQueen, Boynton Beach, FL/Grand Isle, VT; sister Cathy Kohlasch, Williston, VT; brothers Stephen (and Josie) McQueen, Davenport, FL; Robert (and Rachel) McQueen, Pittsford, NY; and Joseph Jr. (and Jude) McQueen, Scotia, NY; nephews, nieces, an aunt and uncle, and cousins. A celebration of life is forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dr. McQueen's memory to Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center, 102-104 Endicott St., Danvers, MA, 01923, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA, 02284 and/or Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA, 01923
I will miss my sister greatly. I am thankful for the love and support she has given to our family since we first met her. Lori was never a stranger and had what seemed to be a bottomless supply of friends. She’s touched more people than we’ll ever know.
I certainly cannot express all of my sentiments here, but do know that we will never forget you. You live in our hearts and minds forever.
Love you, and rest in God. You fought well.
My prayers go out to my cousin Ron Mott and The McQueen and Mott Family! What is comforting is that she is no longer suffering. I will miss her and I will always have fond memories of this smart and intelligent woman. I remember the first time I met her, she was always positive and people like that, you have to watch what you release in words around them…lol…she loved my cousin and my cousin loved her; you could just sense the love.
Ron, your wife was a encourager indeed! She inspired me every time we had a chance to talk. She was so attentive while I spoke with her, she didn’t want to miss anything! Her care for other’s was EPIC in everyway! I wish I could have been there for her in some kind of way, but I will remember her and do like wise. Be a comfort to others! Thank you for sharing her with us. I love her, she will be missed dearly.
Prayin for you cuz
I remember when I first met Lori. We were both living in KC at the time. She was out walking Grady one morning and passed by our house. I was out in our front yard with our newborn son. She came right over and greeted me. I told her I had a Weimie dog too and then I went inside and brought out our Maddie girl for her to meet. We instantly bonded over our Weimie dogs and from that moment on we became friends. We spent many afternoons together walking our Weimies, taking turns pushing my son in his stroller while sharing stories of childhood and puppyhood. We realized we had a lot in common, being two girls from back east with Italian mothers. She was so easy to talk to it felt like we had been friends for years. We met for lunches & dinners and just hung out together whenever Ron was out of town. And even though we both eventually moved away, our lives taking us in different directions, we continued our friendship long distance. We were always there for each other, just a phone call away. Whenever she called, I could hear her bright, beautiful smile right through the phone line like a ray of sunshine. I miss her already, but have her memory tucked safely away in my heart.
RIP my beautiful friend….I know we’ll meet again one day and when we do we’ll be surrounded by our Weimie dogs.
Camille Bailey
Mason, Ohio
Lit a candle in memory of Lori Ann McQueen
Dear Ron and Lori’s Family
I was so saddened by Lori’s passing. I have only known her for a little more than a year through our Dana Farber group but she had a lasting impact on me. She had such spunk and courage. She told me once that I was brave, but no more so than she was. I admired her determination to keep up the good fight. I will miss her beautiful smile and her genuine caring about all of us. May she rest in peace and all the beautiful memories sustain you all.
Joanne Martin
I’ll remember forever Lori and I (in her NCAA days) going to step class. Super athlete Lori and completely out of shape, completely uncoordinated, me. What a sight! We’d laugh so hard We’d totally disrupt the class! Then we’d head to Wendy’s and totally undo anything we accomplished. She was the best!
I got to know Lori through the dogs as I work for the vet clinic and doggie dayschool where Grady went and where Maddie joined the family in Marietta. She was such a responsible and loving pet owner which was just one indication that she was a truly caring, generous and compassionate person. I know she dearly loved Ron, their families and her dogs and my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Camille, she told me the story of how you two met after she and I met and became friends while Lori and Ron lived in the Atlanta area.. We, too, instantly bonded over our dogs .. my Rusty, a Welsh Terrier, and her Grady. Grady was Rusty’s best friend .. their size difference didn’t matter. I can still hear her talking about you and how much she enjoyed your friendship.
And what a wonderful friend she was. I will never forget her laughter and our long talks about everything. We, too, continued our friendship long distance. Friends like her are rare and wonderful. She will never be forgotten by any of us. Just missed.
My heart is saddened today as I learned my sweet friend Ron lost his friend, his partner, his love. I have worked with Ron for many years and If there is one thing everyone knows about Ron is that he is passionate about every story he covers -It was Lori who helped Ron stay balanced, and when a story upset him she would say “simmer down”-he trusted her and she trusted him-a beautiful relationship-you will be missed Lori
To My Brother (Ronnie),
I can still remember the first day you brought Lori to the house to meet the family. The anticipation and anxiety to finally meet the woman of your dreams was bubbling deep down on the inside of me, that I could hardly peek out the bedroom window without being noticed. I will never forget the moment I saw you two smiling, chatting, and blushing as you slowly cascaded up the walkway at mama’s house. I knew then God had blesed you to find your ‘good thing’. There was no doubt , love was in the air. From that day on, the immense love and devotion you two shared for each other grew into a beautiful fragrant bouquet of fresh memories for such a time as this. For 23 years, God pruned this bouquet through sunshine and rain, heartache and pain because He knew this time would come. The Bible is right, to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Though Lori is now in the presence of the Lord, she left you this bouquet of memories as a reminder of the love you shared. What a beautiful gift from God! So brother, cherish every single petal (memory) of your sweet bouquet (Lori). Thank you for sharing such a beautiful spirited soul with the family. We loved Lori and knew she loved us. It is with my deepest heartfelt sympathy wherby I express these words. Truly, my heart is heavy because Lori was more than my sister-in-love, she was my friend and will be deeply missed. Lifting you in my prayers that God’s continual comfort, peace, strength, and love be felt during this time and in the days and years ahead.
All of my Love,
Big Sis (Nita)
Thanks for sharing Jan. I’m grateful for her friendship and the memories I have of our fun times together. She was a true, one-of-a-kind friend. I’m glad you, too, got to know her unique qualities.
I remember Lori and her family growing up in Pelham, NY. She was smart, athletic and good looking, but also kind and polite. I remember her starring in our 4th or 5th grade play as a child unhappy to find herself stuck in the library, until the books come to life and convinced her the library is great. She was cool and calm, carrying the show costumed in a groovy seventies style poncho! I admired her ease while I nervously said my bit about the joy of being a math book. Deepest sympathy to all of her beloved family and friends.
Marie Letizia Ivers
Ron, I never knew you personally, but I have seen you many times on 41 news and NBC. Even though, I am so sorry for your loss. It is especially hard, I am sure, since she was so young, and so full of life. May she rest with your love in the hands of God.
Frank Loving
Lori was an amazing person, the best of the best. She would bring her dogs Maddie and Grady to our business,That Dirty Dog, when she and Ron lived in Georgia, and bathe them while we talked and talked and became good friends. I will never forget Lori, ever…. My most sincere condolences to Ron and to her incredible family. Rest in Peace, dearest Lori….
Kathy Whitney
Lori was a weekly if not almost daily gift of sunshine at That Dirty Dog in Roswell. Lori and I shared many conversations. abut relationships, life, and love for our dogs. She was a courageous woman. That is an understatement. She had an attitude I have never experienced in the face of a grim diagnosis. I just thought of Lori last week, and now that I reflect, it was on the day she departed this earth. Ron, my deepest condolences. Give those dogs a long warm hug for me.
I met Lori in about 2005 when she was consulting for American Humanics. We had an instant chemistry and she commissioned me to teach her all things southern. When she and Ron moved to Atlanta it meant she was only an hour and a half away. We had numerous “official meetings” during that time. They consisted mostly of copious amount of laughter, serious philosophical and political discussions, and more laughter. I loved her dearly and we could spend hours on the phone “consulting”. We shared the same slightly jaded sense of humor and the love of working with students. I told her that Lori Ann was not a good name for a southern belle and we settled on Lori Sue. Far more lyrical. For a “Yankee” she made a great southerner. Our talk always included dog stories. Her precious Grady and my Mattie Rose. They were our babies and we understood the importance of asking about them when we talked. I knew she was sick but lost track of her when she stopped using face book. She was one of those people that passed through my life just for a season. But her laughter, great humor, and depth of spirit will always be a part of me. Seeing Ron as a regular on NBC News gives me a little bit of Lori each time he appears. Peace and healing to Ron and all her family.
Sara Faircloth, Georgia College, Milledgeville, GA
I knew Lori from childhood, I was deeply saddened upon hearing of her passing. Though I have not seen her in many years I have fond memories of shooting hoops and playing wiffle ball in her yard, watched her in sports during our high school years, she was always a team player and a great friend. My deepest sympathy and condolences to her family at her loss, May she rest in peace ~ Reggie Duncan~
I knew Lori through high school. Such a gifted athlete and genuine human being. Smart, funny, sincere – so enthusiastic about everything. It hurts me to know that this wonderful woman was taken so soon. My thoughts and prayers are with her family – Andrea Mesrop Melliadis
I met Lori when we were both starting our careers at the NCAA. Lori always had that beautiful smile on her face and was always eager to share a laugh. She loved Ron and her family so much and lit up when she talked about them. I heard many stories about her parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. Lori was always so supportive of the goals and efforts of others. She faced her cancer so courageously. We all are blessed to have had Lori in our lives.
Amy Privette Perko
I am so sorry to hear about Lori’s passing, but so happy to hear of all her accomplishments. She, like all the McQueen kids, were impressive when they lived here in Pelham. What a fine family this is,, from Joe and Barbara on down. My husband Al, who had Joe as a teacher in New Rochelle high, school sends his sympathy as do I.Our deepest condolences to all.
Al and Ann Rende
The age-old question,”Why do bad things happen to good people?”—Doug and I remember so fondly the good days when Doug and Lori’s mom served together on the Pelham Board of Education, and Lori was in the same HS class as our son Doug Jr. Lori was always a star, from athletics to academia to social graciousness. Of course she got all this “from the top”–from Bobbi and Joe who were exemplars of family togetherness and community involvement all during their time in Pelham. Doug remembers giving Bobbi a ride home after BofE meetings, and Bobbi saying she was going to jump into a pint of Haagen-Daz icecream to relax! Lori obviously reflected all the best qualities of an accomplished 21st century woman, and we join with you all in mourning her most untimely death. With all our prayers, hugs and remembrances,
Doug and Mary Hearle
Lori was such a kind and thoughtful wife to my brother and our family. She will be missed, but the memories and impact she leaves behind will forever live in my heart. My prayers are with my brother Ron, Lori’s family, and all who are have been touched by such a sweet spirit. Rest in peace Lori…much love.
Raymond Mott
I saw Lori’s obituary in the Pelham Weekly. I was a classmate of Lori’s in high school where she was a wonderful athlete and very active in the school. It’s very sad to hear about her untimely death.
I was very saddened today to learn that Lori has passed. We got our doctorates together at FSU and have kept in touch via Facebook and skype over the years as we both moved around the country.
Lori was a wonderful friend. I loved her candor and honesty. She was always strong and true. Earning a doctorate is a singular and unique experience that I am so proud to have shared with her. She is an important part of the memories of that time and will always be with those of us who shared that time with her.
My best wishes to her husband Ron and her family. Please know that Lori touched many lives and that she brought joy to more lives than you may know.
I am deeply saddened. Loring was a a classmate at FSU. We had the best cohort of students who grew to be more colleagues; we were great friends. She was one of the coolest, honest people I know. My prayers go to the family. May God send you strength in this time of grief.
I was so saddened when I read on fb about Lori passing. I grew up with the McQueen’s in Pelham and I still live here and work in the high school. Lori was a wonderful person and came from a wonderful family on Eighth Avenue. I graduated with Cathy. They were great athletes. I’m so glad she was so loved while she was here. If you are in town and ever want a tour of the school, please just ask for me. I’d be happy to show you. May your beautiful wife, and one of Pelham’s finest be at peace always ❤️
Fondly, Kim Arnau-Scalisi
Libby P. purchased a sympathy card for the family of Lori Ann McQueen Ed.D..