Kathleen Isabel MacKenzie

Kathleen MacKenzie (nee Porter), 71, of Cary, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side on October 18, 2025. She was born in Rolvenden, Kent, England in 1953 to John Leslie (Les) and Veda Porter. Early in her life, Kathleen's family moved from England to Scotland, which she always called home. Kathleen married Neil MacKenzie in Aberdeen, Scotland on September 11, 1976. They moved to the USA in 1982 to pursue their careers in science. Kathleen's career spanned 40 years at various pharmaceutical companies where she was an expert in Mass Spectrometry, which allowed her to live in many places in the USA including Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Her final job before retirement was in Sydney, Australia where she lived for six years.

Kathleen loved to travel. In her retirement she experienced local cultures and cuisines all over the world on numerous trips with family and friends, In the last three years, she spent half of each year sailing on various world cruises. Her final cruise in early 2025 took her to Antarctica, the last continent she had not explored. Kathleen had a wanderlust that was inspiring and unparalleled. Kathleen also loved to play bridge. She taught everyone who knew her how to play so that she could always have a game. Kathleen lived for her children, Sarah and Stuart. She was a devoted mother who made many sacrifices for their happiness. Our "Big Cheese" will be sorely missed.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Les and Veda, and her husband, Neil. She is survived by her brothers, Leslie and Richard Porter, her children Sarah (Seth Leger) and Stuart MacKenzie, as well as her beloved granddaughters, Madeleine and Claire Leger and her life-long friend, Irene deBoth. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday November 8, 2025 at Sarah and Seth's house at 2pm. All who knew Kathleen are welcome.