Kate MacIntyre, Long Time Supporter of Torn Ticket, Dies At The Age Of 55 Of Lung Cancer

Kate MacIntyre
October 22, 2007

Kate MacIntyre, executive director of the Davidson (N.C) Business Association, died at home today after a valiant two-year struggle with cancer.

Her husband, Peter Macon, a business consultant in the international toy and textile industry, was at her side.

The couple had shared a mutual enjoyment of the theater during their student days at Tufts University in the 1970s, and then went on to different life choices, maintaining a deep friendship leading to marriage two months before Kate’s cancer diagnosis.

Kate expected the best from others because it was what she demanded of herself. She loved life and that was something a diagnosis of advanced cancer did nothing to lessen.

A journalist by training, Kate tackled her cancer treatment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill like a reporter determined to know the truth.

Her spirit, the love and comfort she found in her life partner and her willingness to undergo experimental treatment kept her focused on having a good quality of life.

She continued to work right up to her death.

As the Davidson Business Association’s first executive director, Kate helped articulate the association's mission of promoting the town’s Main Street area, securing several thousand dollars in grants for cultural events, and launching such popular events as "Art on the Green" and "Croquet on the Green."

Kate’s vision included developing the concept of ‘hip and historic” Davidson, seeing the value of applying to the Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and considering the attraction of creating public artworks for the town as well a farmer's market with emphasis on buying local.

Despite decreasing mobility, Kate felt it was important to be among the diners at the opening night of one of Davidson’s first Italian restaurants in September as well as Wayne Stowe’s thank you picnic on the Green.

Although not a smoker, Kate was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005.

She volunteered to be part of a clinical drug trial for treating such cancer under the care of Dr. Mark Socinski at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She later gave public testimony on her treatment that helped the center and university be designated to receive millions of dollars in state funds to accelerate research and was among the patients recently honored by the center for this at a reception at the home of UNC President Erskine Bowles.

Kate had said in her testimony that no one should "give up on stage four cancer patients."

Early on as part of the clinical trial, aware that she was part of research that would help others after her, she said her desire was to "educate the public about lung cancer, bringing to the task the same spirit I see in breast cancer advocates."

She had worked to make people aware that by some estimates one out of every five women diagnosed with lung cancer is a non-smoker.

Kate was born in Cleveland and graduated from high school in Shaker Heights. Known to her friends as "Katie," she was also known for her ability to quickly analyze a situation and critique a problem.

She completed her undergraduate studies in three years, graduating with a degree in theater in 1973 from Tufts University in Medford, MA.

Kate earned a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York in 1974. Her thesis dealt with theater development and her professors there included the late Fred Friendly, former CBS News president and creator with the late Edward R. Murrow of the "See It Now" series.

Kate also earned a second master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.

During her long career, Kate held a number of executive positions both on the East and West Coasts in theater development and in advertising. Wherever she worked, she made an effort to mentor young people on her staff.

A past resident of The Sea Ranch in Somona County, Calif, Kate was former president as well as secretary of the community’s association.

Kate was known for her loyalty to those she loved, enjoyment of cooking and her devotion to her Siberian cat - Pushkin.

She cherished her baptism into St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and the Book of Common Prayer she received at the time from an assistant bishop who was also a cancer survivor.

Besides her husband Peter, and beloved Pushkin. Kate is survived by her parents, Dr. W. James MacIntyre and mother Pat, her brother Steve and wife Mo, niece Erin and nephew Patrick, extended family of step children, cousins, aunts and uncles and a number of beloved friends including her oldest from childhood, Ralph J. Hexter, president of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA

A celebration of Katie life will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson, NC on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 10:00 am.

Donations may be made to the Kate MacIntyre Foundation, 915-18 Northeast Drive, Davidson, NC 28036. Kate’s vision will continue through the foundation to help fund cancer research as well as programs dedicate to mentoring young women.