McConaughy service, fund planned

Friends and family have organized a memorial service for Betty McConaughy, a longtime University employee who - after months of struggling with depression - took her own life last month. The service is scheduled for
2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12 at the Faculty Club. Everyone is invited.

McConaughy had been with the UW since 1964, and in that time had been a mainstay of research programs in the laboratories of Brian McCarthy, James Champoux, Ben Hall, and Rose Anne Cattolico. During her career at the UW in the Departments of Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Botany, she was an important presence in many lives, particularly those of graduate students, Hall said.

In keeping with McConaughy’s knowledge of and keen interest in Camellias, plans have been made to create a memorial fund in her name for the purpose of renovating the Washington Park Arboretum’s Camellia collection. A University-based memorial fund will be set up to receive donations from friends and colleagues. Checks should be made out to the University of Washington and sent to J.A. Wott, Director, Washington Park Arboretum, Box 358010. Writing “Betty McConaughy fund” on your check will direct your contribution to the appropriate fund.