Dr. Patricia McRae-Denning
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Dr. Patricia McRae-Denning, 56, of Lawrence, KS passed away on Monday September 17, 2012 in Lawrence, KS.
She was born on August 5, 1956 in Topeka, KS to Donald Duncan McRae and Mary Alice Martin McRae, the third of four children. She attended public Schools in Topeka, graduated from Kansas State University in 1978 and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas in 1982.
She married Dr. Dale Denning in Topeka, KS on May 22, 1982. They first met in freshmen chemistry at Kansas State University in 1974.
Patricia practiced Internal Medicine and was a staff physician at the University of Kansas Watkins Student Health Center for 23 years; the last eight years of which she served as Chief of Staff.
She was a fellow in the American College of Physicians and had served on the Douglas County Dental Board, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Board, and as a volunteer physician at Health Care Access. She was a strong supporter of the Douglas County United Way and was a member of the Spirit of Kaw Valley for many years. She was always looking for ways to give back to the community that she loved so much. She recognized the gifts she had been given and knew she had a responsibility to help others who were less fortunate.
She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, knitting, horseback riding, playing the piano, traveling, and swing dancing with her husband; especially at the annual Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer Dance. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority at Kansas State. She was a supporter of the Lawrence School Foundation.
She is survived by her husband, Dale of 30 years, sons Patrick of Mauldin, SC, Bryant of Lawrence, and daughter Elise, of Lawrence; mother, Mary Alice, Topeka, brother Doug and spouse, Debie, Topeka; sister Christie and spouse Andrew Kirmse, Napa Valley, CA; sister Marla and spouse Brad Jeffress, Centennial, CO; in-laws Dan and Mary Denning, Lawrenceville, GA; Dori Denning, Rodando Beach, CA; Randy and Denise Denning DeTurk, Salida, CO; Doug and Gloria Denning, Manhattan, KS; Rick and Dee Denning Martin, Running Springs, CA; Brian and Kate Denning Helfrich, Dodge City, KS; mother-in- law Cecilia Denning, Dodge City, KS; fifteen nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her wonderful father, Don and father-in-law, Ralph Denning.
The Parish Rosary will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, followed by a visitation until 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday September 21, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in her name to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, Health Care Access, Douglas County Dental Clinic or Corpus Christi Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
I love you all very much.
Our thougths and prayers are with your family.
Patricia was an amazing person who made me feel so incredibly welcome in her home during college and years after. She will truly be missed.
Dale, we have many fond memories with you and Patsy during the KUMC days.You and your children are in our prayers.
I have fond memories of Patsy from many family gatherings over the years. Recently we reconnected at Women Philanthropists for KU functions and always made time to visit. I will miss her and both Kent and I send the McRaes and Dennings our love and prayers.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will miss Patsy and her engaging smile. A light has gone out from our world, but is shining in the next.
I am truly sorry for you loss. My heart and prayers go out to your family and all who knew her. The world is a brighter place because she was in it. She has touched so many lives and just even her warm smile…could change someone’s day, and make it better. We will miss her.
Our thoughts and deepest prayers go out to you and your family.
Dr Dale, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Dear Dale and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patsy was 34 and I was 38 when she started working at Watkins. As two young strong willed women we butted heads a couple of times in the early years but had a deep and mutual respect for each other. Patsy was the epitome of ethics and high standards. When she joined the Admin team at Watkins, I had a chance to become much better acquainted. I enjoyed making her laugh whether I intended to or not. She had a sly wit. She also knew how much I loved bling and bright colors and took every opportunity to share any of hers with me. I remember when she got some outrageous tights at a sale and couldn’t wait to show (flaunt)them. Her office and chocolate was always available to me. I knew I could go in, relax in the recliner and discuss the world with her. She was especially tickled last year when Dale surprised me in the pharmacy with his costume. I will miss her so much. My heart hurts for the Dennings and McRaes but know that your wife, mother, daughter was well loved.
I was a pregnant graduate student with epilepsy when I met Patsy Denning at KU. She calmed my anxieties, tended to my broken toe (after a fall while pregnant), and gave me the BEST advice. When I recall those days (20 years ago) I can still vividly recall the emotional relief that she brought me. She was a great physician, but it was her warmth and honesty that has kept her in my heart all of these years. She will forever be a part of my life. My deepest sympathies to her family and all who feel this loss.
Debie, my heart goes out to your entire family. What a remarable woman and what a life she had. Hopefully the fact that she lived life to the fullest will provide you all some solitude. Our loved ones are never really gone they are forever with us in wonderful memories and spirit. God bless you all.
Our condolences to you ,Dr. Denning and family. Rest in peace.
Dr. Denning was my doctor while I was in undergrad at KU from 1990-1994. She was warm and caring and encouraging in my desire to pursue medicine as a career. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Prayers are going up now for your family.
My Sweet Elise,
I’m so very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Your mother was such a wonderful person and I can not thank her enough for the support and friendship with me and my family over the years. I know Carson considered her an extension of her family – her Lawrence Mom.
We all love you!
Robin
Dear Denning Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Patricia.
I knew Patsy back in college through our Kappa days. I am so saddened by this and are praying for your family. She was a wonderful person who inspired us all.
Dear Dale:
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God be with you and your family.
Dear Dr. Denning and family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Pat added so much to our Kappa book club, and we will miss her. With special caring, Glee and Jerry Smith
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with your family.
Patsy will be missed by all of us. Our deepest sympathies to your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Denning was my doctor during my undergraduate time at KU. I was under a great deal of stress with graduating soon and getting married in the same semester. She was so attentive during that time and helped me be healthy again. I contribute much of my success to her. I also got to spend some really great moments with Elise and Dr. Denning at CLH. You all have my deepest sympathies.
Dear Denning family,
Our hearts go out to you, we are praying for strength for you and your family in this difficult time.
Dale and family. Sorry to hear of your loss; our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Denning & family – so very saddened by your loss. May God give you the strength to survive through these difficult times. Have comfort in the fact that she is with you always now. God Bless.
Dale,
I am so sorry for your loss of such a kind lady. Patricia was so gracious and thoughtful and always had a pleasant greeting.Her compassion and kindness provided relief from suffering to so many. God bless you and your family.
Dear Dr. Denning and family, I am so very sorry for your lost! My husband and I just recently met you as my husband just had surgery. I was so impressed with the kind and wonderful person you were with us and the way you answered all my questions! I pray you and yours find peace! God Bless you! Dan and Kathy Houchin
Bryant-
On behalf of the faculty, staff and students in the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science I offer our heart felt sympathy in the loss of your mother. It is our prayer that the love of family and friends will bring you comfort in your sorry and the fond memories of her life will be forever in your heart.
I am a friend of Bryant’s and worked with him at Fiedler Engineering Library at KSU. If his (and Patrick’s) characters were any evidence, their mother was a wonderful person and will be missed greatly. Our deepest condolences go out to the Denning family at this time from Fiedler Library and the College of Engineering.
I am so saddened by this loss. I hope it will help you and the children to know how much Patsy was admired and loved. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Dear Elise, and the Denning family,
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. The wonderful memories that I have of the Dennings range cross country, from California to Minnesota and Kansas. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family, and I love you dearly.
-Jane Hayashi
Dear Elise, and the Denning family,
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. The wonderful memories that I have of the Dennings range cross country, from California to Minnesota and Kansas. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family, and I love you dearly.
-Jane Hayashi
Dale, Pete and I are so sorry and have you and the kids in our thoughts daily and in our prayers. We will miss Patricia’s beautiful smile and vitality in our neighborhood family. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Fondly, Bonnie and Pete
Patsy was 34 and I was 38 when she started working at Watkins. As two young strong willed women we butted heads a couple of times in the early years but had a deep and mutual respect for each other. Patsy was the epitome of ethics and high standards. When she joined the Admin team at Watkins, I had a chance to become much better acquainted. I enjoyed making her laugh whether I intended to or not. She had a sly wit. She also knew how much I loved bling and bright colors and took every opportunity to share any of hers with me. I remember when she got some outrageous tights at a sale and couldn’t wait to show (flaunt)them. Her office and chocolate was always available to me. I knew I could go in, relax in the recliner and discuss the world with her. She was especially tickled last year when Dale surprised me in the pharmacy with his costume. I will miss her so much. My heart hurts for the Dennings and McRaes but know that your wife, mother, daughter was well loved.
Dear Dale and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. We are very sorry for your loss.
The Denning family were the first people I met when I moved to Lawrence and there was never a day I didn’t feel like a member of the family. Four years seemed like two days at times. I’m so sorry to hear this news and will keep Dale, Patrick, Bryant and Elise in my thoughts and prayers.
Sept 20, 2012
To McRae-Denning Family,
I want to express my sympathy on the loss of Patricia. Words say very little at a time like this, but knowing people care, maybe helps. I hope so. I knew Mary Alice and Don for a long time, so I wanted to express my thoughts. I know you all have wonderful memories of Patricia.
My son, Jeff Campbell, said he knew Patricia in school.
Sincerely,
Jackie Campbell Petersen
I am so very sad to learn of this tragedy for your family. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Dr. Denning and Family,
Words cannot begin to express how sorry we are for your loss. We are praying for peace for all of you.
We are so sad to learn of Patricia’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. We will miss her.
Dale – haven’t seen you in forever, but learned of your loss. All our condolences to you and your family.
Thoughts and prayers are going to you –
from a fellow Blue Key member
Bryant was one of our student leaders who I worked closely with, both in class and on activities at the local and national levels. After meeting his parents and reading more about his mother, it is no surprise that he has turned out to be such an impressive young man. Karin and I are thinking about your family at this most difficult time and wish we could be there to support you. Take good care.
Ray
Message directed to Christie McRae Kirmse. Dear Christie, We are very sorry to hear of the death of your sister. She gave much to the community and will be greatly missed. We hope that you are well. We remember fondly the years when you worked with us in the shop. Blessings to all. Pete and Joanie.
I went to Sunset Hill Elementary with the Denning kids. One day in the fifth grade, Patricia came in to teach our class about the dangers of smoking cigarettes. To illustrate her point, she brought in a healthy human lung and a tarred, cancerous lung from a lifetime smoker. To this day, I haven’t smoked a cigarette. Thanks Patricia.
Patrick, Dale, Bryant, and Elise,
I’ll always appreciate the warmth and care that you and Patsy gave to me and the rest of Patrick’s crew. My love goes out to all of you.
Dearest Elise and Family – I am heartbroken over what has happened and the loss of your mother. Words cannot express how sad I feel. I am sorry that I cannot be at the service for Patricia. But, please know that I am with you in spirit and sending love to you, Elise. You are like one of my granddaughters to me and I wish I could take away your pain. May your sweet memories of your Mother bring you peace and comfort. I love you, Elise – Jay-Jay
Dr. Denning was my primary care physician while I was studying Law at KU. She was a compassionate and thorough caregiver helping me treat several health issues, and I am grateful to her for the personalized service I always received from her with a smile! Both family and community suffer in this loss. She is remembered.
Cousin Dale, my deepest sympathy for you and your family. My rhoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of sadness and loss.
God Bless you all.
Warmest sympathies,
Teresa
My deepest condolences. Prayers and support extended to the family. She will be missed. Stay strong.
I met Dr. Denning 2 years ago as a scared freshman and her calm motherly demeanor put me at ease and she has treated me for the past 2 years always professionally and friendly. I’ll miss you Dr. Denning but I know your in a better place.
The world has lost a beautiful, generous and kind spirit. There are no words to describe how sorry I am for your loss. I am praying for all of you.
Blessings,
Rosie Bradley
I worked for dr dale denning many years ago in his surgery practice. I always admired and respected both dr dennings. I am so very sorry the world has lost this amazing woman. And I am sending strength and prayers to dr Dale and all of dr Patsy’s family.
Iam a class mate on Dan. I wish you all the sympathy in the world at this time of horrible loss. I have heard of her unfaltering work in Lawrence. She will be missed. Prayers to all of you. Diana
We were shocked and saddened to learn about Patricia’s accident. My daughter refers to her as “the nice neighbor lady who brings us tomatoes from her garden.” We would often exchange pleasantries, and she was always thoughtful and kind. This gracious neighbor will be missed. Our condolences go out to Dale and the rest of the family.
Dale, I am so sorry to hear about Patsy. May God wrap his arms around you and your family.
I remember Dr. Denning as always having a bubbly personality and taking her daily walks around the Health Center. Remeber the good times when she made you laugh until you cried. In time that will help a lot. God Bless
One of the McRae kids from next door. Patsy was a great young woman and always fun to be around! This is a great loss. Best wishes to Mrs. McRae, Doug, Christie and Marla! My prayers to you all!
With deepest sympathy, I am so sorry to hear about the death of Patsy. My heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies to the McRae family for your loss. She was always such a nice person from when we were little kids growing up along Lakeside Drive in Topeka and from such a nice family. I will always remember her. Peace, Prayers and Blessings, may your memories give you strength and survive in time of sorrow. Steve Sutton
I am sorry for you loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget the great times we had together at your house on Jana Dr.
Dale, I’m saddened, but thinking of you, hope you’re hanging in there. –Jeff, classmate from Wichita.
Denning family, I am so sorry for your loss. I was a Kappa with Patsey at KSU. We looked up to her because she was so amazing, sweet, responsible, and mature. She is with the Great Physician now watching over her family until you all are reunited again. Prayers for your family!
Dale and family,
I was a Kappa with Patsy at
K-State and enjoyed her great sense of humor and laughter. I am so sorry for your loss and will be thinking of you during this hoiday season.
I just found out about the loss of Patricia from the KU Alumni News. My husband Mark and I and our family wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Dale and family at this time. May God comfort you and give you strength.
I worked with Patsy at Camp Lincoln this summer, I was the camp nurse. We spoke of our Kansas connection as I used to live in Topeka and have family there.I met Dale who stayed at the camp also.we had breakfast and spoke of our experience and then had morning clinics.When she left camp for the summer she hugged me goodbye. I just found out tonight, my heart goes out to her family and my prayers.