Kathleen "Katie" Melican
Oct 3, 1941 -
Feb 10, 2023
Kathleen "Katie" Theresa Melican passed away peacefully on Feb. 10, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Born Kathleen Theresa Hart in Worcester, Mass., to Edward and Julia Hart, Katie graduated from St. Peters Central Catholic High School in 1959. Along with her best friend Mary and following in the footsteps of her sister Joyce, Katie attended St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing to earn her nursing diploma in 1962. She married her high school sweetheart, George Patrick Melican, on June 26, 1965. They had four children: Joe, Tim, Tom and Kristen. George's job as a college administrator took the family to Plymouth, Mich., in 1977. While in Michigan, Katie earned a Bachelors in Nursing from Livonia's Madonna College. She worked at the University of Michigan Medical School and considered the work some of the most rewarding of her life. In 1982, George's job took the family to Anchorage, Alaska. Katie returned to school once again to earn a Masters in Nursing from the University of Alaska Anchorage and became a family nurse practitioner.
Katie's career as a nurse included a variety of positions, ranging from the operating room to the city health department. Katie also spent several years as a faculty member at the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing. In 1996, Katie became the owner of Alaska Health Care Clinic. Katie was always willing to mentor students at her clinic, so generations of nurse practitioners honed their skills under Katie's guidance and tutelage. Her clinic, located in the heart of Spenard, was known for seeing patients from all walks of life. Katie was always willing to treat patients no matter their background or ability to pay. In 1991, during the height of Desert Storm, Katie, at the age of 49, joined the Navy Reserves. She was given the rank of Lieutenant Commander based on education and background. She was honorably discharged a few years later.
A leader in the nurse practitioner community both locally and nationally, Katie was regional director for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners,
and received the 1996 Nurse Practitioner of the Year award from the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association. In 2014, Katie received the Preceptor Gold Star Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties because of her exceptional service as a preceptor, teacher, leader and positive role model. She was also one of the earliest recipients of the Athena Award, which is a recognition given by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to women who excel in business.
Katie married Don McKenzie in 1997. Katie and Don enjoyed traveling, dancing and entertaining. They hosted many dinners at their home in Spenard. Katie closed the clinic and retired in 2016. Over the last few years, Katie and Don could be seen around town enjoying snacks and beverages at favorite spots like Reilly's, Gwennies, Club Paris and Saint Coyote. Katie will be remembered for her smile, her love of life and her sparkling Irish eyes. She was an amazing mother, wife, nurse and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Raymond; stepgrandson, Danny Joseph; and her first husband and father of her children, George Melican. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Don McKenzie; stepson, Pete McKenzie; stepdaughter, Cindy Johnson and husband Mike; sons, Joe, Tim, and Tom Melican; daughter, Kristen Nevala; son-in-law, Matt Nevala; stepgrandson, Justin Joseph with wife Luck and daughter Kai; granddaughters, Maggie and Moira Nevala; and numerous other friends and family.
A celebration of life will occur on March 31, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Saint Coyote Restaurant, 135 West Dimond Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association scholarship fund to help support future Nurse Practitioners: https://anpa.enpnetwork.com; admin@alaskanpa.org.
