Mary Anne Rathbun MacCaughelty

Dr. Mary Anne Rathbun MacCaughelty transitioned from her earthly existence on May 10, 2023 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House Southminster in Charlotte, NC.  Mary Anne was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive cancer about three weeks prior to her death.  Mary Anne was born March 7, 1946, in Rochester, NY the second of three children born to John Lewis Rathbun and Anne Karlson Rathbun. Mary Anne completed undergraduate and medical degree programs from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical School, graduating in 1970.  This was followed by Internship at Ohio State University Hospital and Residency in Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital/ Ohio State University and Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of Rochester.  She was then Board Certified in Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

In 1977, Mary Anne began her career in Charlotte largely leading the establishment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at then named Charlotte Memorial Hospital and named Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center when she retired in 2013.  She also consulted as a neonatologist at Presbyterian Hospital and was an Associate Professor of Medicine out of the Area Health Education Center of the School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.  

Mary Anne’s ministry was practicing the art and science of medicine and teaching others how to do so with patients and families.  One of her medical colleagues recently said, “She has touched many tens of thousands of lives that if counted would more than overflow Bank of America Stadium.”

Mary Anne also served on the Boards of Holy Angels Belmont NC and KinderMourn in Charlotte.  She was a member of the Conference of the Medicine and Ministry of the Whole Person for decades and served on its Steering Committee.

Mary Anne sang in the choirs of Christ Episcopal Church and at St. John’s Episcopal Church, where she was an active member for 35 years. 

Mary Anne is survived by her husband of 38 years, Dr. Robert (Bob) MacCaughelty, PhD, and two children, Jenifer Deese (husband Paul) and Matthew MacCaughelty (wife Stephanie) plus four grandchildren: Sarai and Trey Deese and Samantha and George MacCaughelty.  She also is survived by two brothers: John Rathbun (wife Kerry) of Simpsonville, SC and Tom Rathbun (wife Becky) of Bedford, TX.  There are many extended family members of nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Mary Anne’s family wishes to express our deepest love, respect, and appreciation for how she lived her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, etc. and friend.  Her love of nature, gardening, cooking, music, and just living life are an inspiration to us.

Mary Anne received great medical care at both Atrium and Levine & Dickson Hospice.  Drs. Jack Yazbeck and Sarah Stewart plus Amy Wargo, RN and others are deeply appreciated at Atrium.  Many at hospice care, led by Alison Harrison, Nurse Practitioner, are commended.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28226 at 1:00 PM, followed by a brief private family service at St. John’s Garden and a reception at the church.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to one of the following: Holy Angels, KinderMourn, or the Music Department of St. John’s Episcopal Church. 

Online condolences to the family can be made at www.carolinafuneral.com .  Arrangements are made by Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center.

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