From kindergarten teacher, to camp leader, to club member, to quilt-maker, to card sender, to grandma extraordinaire… everybody loves Lenore!
You, mom, who brought us into the world and then taught us to 
embrace each day as a gift, also showed us how to nurture, to console, to compromise, to accept, to fight, to forgive, to teach, to learn, to praise, to thank, to welcome, to love.
Unconditionally.
Thank you for the gift of life. Only in my later years, have I appreciated what a selfless act that truly is. When I was a young mother, you wisely told me: “From the moment your baby is born, you offer her as a gift to the world.”
I have been so blessed to have been born to you - a generous, intelligent, forward-thinking mom, who nurtured me through so many tough transitions with my identity intact during the tumultuous 60s and 70s. Because of you I became strong, courageous and resilient.
I could have never navigated my path as a trailblazer without you encouraging me to rise up after each setback, to persist through every trial, and fight back from injuries in my rough and tumble life as a female athlete.
Because you loved and accepted me, I learned accept myself, long before society did.
Had you been born in a different era, when women had equal educational and athletic opportunities, you would have been an athlete, a doctor, an engineer or a scientist, like your two brothers. Instead you broke glass ceiling in the 1950s earning a college degree, becoming a teacher and raising four children five years apart.
If I became a Title IX pioneer, it was because from day one, my strong, loving, selfless mom believed in me and led by example. You walked so I could run.
You taught me to live with gratitude and to “hang by my faith hook”. How much kinder and more hopeful am I because you taught me to believe in the goodness in mankind?
I feel grateful for every sunrise, every phone call, every Summit Lake summer, I can share with you.
You, my beautiful, blue-eyed Norwegian-American Mom, have only to look into your children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s eyes to see the reflection of your love. A love that keeps on giving.
What a lovely tribute to your spectacular mom, Pat — here’s wishing her a belated happy birthday … with many more happy and healthy ones! Enjoy her while you have her, my friend — life is shorter than we realize, and our loved ones leave us much too soon.
Thanks Debbie. The older we get, the more time seems to slow down and speed up simultaneously. Trying to make as many memories as I can while I can.
Happy 90th Lenore! Beautiful tribute Pat. I have always known your mom as one of the kindest lady I have ever met! Enjoy your time together and thanks for the reminder to appreciate every day!
Thanks for your kind words Dave. I always love hearing from youl
Happy birthday Lenore! Summit Lake becomes even more beautiful when you’re there. God bless you with good health, joy, and love. Joe and Ruth King
Thank you for your lovely words, Joe. We feel so blessed to have Lenore with us for another Summit Lake summer. Lots of love from all the McKinzies.
Happy Birthday to your wonderful Mom! She is such a kind, loving person.
Just like you Joanie. Thank you for your well wishes.
Wonderful tribute to your mom, Pat. I feel blessed that God guided Lenore’s and my life paths to intersect. I have been a recipient of several of those wonderful qualities you mentioned. In return, she has been the recipient of a few unusual tours I have taken her on. I think her favorite was a trip to a cemetery to see one grave marker with a Final Four bracket and another with a tribute to the World Series winning Cubs.
Aw thanks Peg. I know my mom feels the same about you. And I feel a special affinity to you because we share a love of words and basketball, CC & Co. plus the Lynx!
I just love that piece of wisdom, “From the moment your baby is born, you offer her as a gift to the world.” We are to raise our children to be blessings to others. I have appreciated the wisdom both your parents have brought into my life. But on our last visit with you all this summer, I was delighted to be reminded of how funny Lenore can be. Like when we were trying to get to the ice cream shop before they closed and she commented to Gerald that there probably weren’t any traffic cops between where we were and our destination and it was okay to break the speed limit.
Happy Birthday to Lenore!
Tina, thanks for adding to those wonderful memories by making time for us to create new ones this past summer. Yes, Lenore does have a wonderful sense of humor woven into her wisdom. Thank you for blessing my life with your wonderful children!