May 20, 2015

In Memoriam: Maureen Young-McGarry, R.N.; taught in SCE for nearly 30 years

Maureen E. Young-McGarry, R.N., a longtime special lecturer in the College’s School of Continuing Education (SCE), died on Nov. 12, 2014.

An active member of Rhode Island’s nursing community and an ardent advocate of nursing and nursing education, she taught health and wellness courses in the SCE for nearly 30 years, most recently as last year. Dr. Young-McGarry worked closely with the SCE and her staff at the Community College of Rhode Island to facilitate the development of the articulation agreement for the SCE’s renowned Fire Sciences Program.

Born in Providence and a resident of Greene, R.I., Dr. Young-McGarry received her nursing degree from the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. She also earned a bachelor’s degree as school-nurse teacher from Rhode Island College; a master’s degree in counselor education from RIC; a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Rhode Island; a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in counselor education from RIC; and, in 1992, a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Young-McGarry was the faculty and assistant director at the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing from 1972 to 1988. She then became the assistant dean of nursing and allied health at the Community College of Rhode Island and, in 1995, was named dean of nursing and allied health, now known as health & rehabilitative sciences. She received the Honorary Alumni Award from CCRI for her long-term dedication to the institution.

Among her many nursing and other professional affiliations, Dr. McGarry-Young was a member of the Rhode Island Action Coalition for Nursing of the Future; a feasibility study member for nursing building, appointed by the R.I. Commission for Higher Education; a community health worker advisory member at Brown University; and a member and president of the R.I. Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. Nationally, she was a member of the ACEN Evaluation and Review Panel.

Dr. Young-McGarry was the wife of Michael McGarry. She also leaves a daughter, Dawn (McGarry), and her husband, Tony Lima; a granddaughter, Anya Grace; and a sister, Carol Hudson Young.

A Mass was celebrated in SS. John & Paul Church, Coventry, R.I.