Kathleen Jane Gleason Mackenzie

Kathleen Jane Gleason Mackenzie, age 72, of Terrytown, passed away peacefully at her home on Oct. 16, 2021. Kate was born on Feb. 24, 1949, in Pittsburgh,Pa., the fourth of seven children of her parents, Thomas Joseph and Mary Jane McDonough Gleason. She grew up in Forest Hills, Pa., and after graduating from Churchill Area High School, she was awarded a full academic scholarship to Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she majored in French. While in her freshman year, she was stricken with a serious chronic mental illness, from which she never recovered. Despite this condition, she was a lifelong learner. She studied at the University of New Orleans, the University of Texas, and Austin Community College. At each school, she excelled academically.
Kate was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving as a lay reader, greeter and as a member of Women of Trinity Church. She was a tireless advocate for placing treatment of mental health needs on a par with physical ailments. She regularly participated in NAMIWalks, the annual fundraiser for the New Orleans Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness, as a charter member of the Unbreakables Walking Team. She participated in protest marches against the threats to eliminate health insurance benefits provided to her and others with mental illnesses under the Affordable Care Act. She maintained a remarkable network of friends with whom she remained in frequent contact.
She is survived by a sister, Eileen Gleason of New Orleans; a brother, James Gleason of Pittsburgh (Richard Shurtz); an aunt, Roselyn McDonough O’Rourke of Danbury, Conn.; her sisters-in-law, Sue Lane of Severna Park, Md., Beverly Noretzky of Marlton, N.J., and Raysa Toppi of Littleton, Mass.; her brother-in-law, David Vernon Shaver, Jr. (Debra) of New Orleans; and by her nieces and nephews, Alexander Gleason of San Francisco, Laura Lane Gleason of Jenkintown, Pa., Dr. Georgia Gleason (Dr. Gene Sirotin) of Severna Park, Md., Jonathan David Shaver (Mary Wallace) of New Orleans, Maggie Shaver Credeur (Kevin) of Baton Rouge, Evelyn Toppi and William Toppi of Littleton, Mass.; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 25 years, Victor Carter Mackenzie, her parents, and her brothers, Dr. William Bourke Gleason, Patrick Joseph Gleason, John Jerome Gleason and Thomas Mullen Gleason.
Family and friends of the family are invited to the Joint Memorial Service for Kate and her beloved brother Dr. William (Bill) Gleason to be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., New Orleans. A reception and visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the New Orleans Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness are preferred.
The family would like to thank the residents and staff of Kate’s residence, The Friendship House, for their friendship and support of Kate.
Arrangements are being handled by Mothe Funeral Home. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com .