Mary Evelyn Keener

With sadness, we share the passing of Mary Evelyn Keener

Mary Keener was born on September 28, 1953, to the late Wylie Keener and Lois Thomas Keener, and lived her entire life in Knoxville.

Mary worked her way through the University of Tennessee twice, first earning a degree in microbiology and graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and later earning a degree in nursing with Phi Kappa Phi honors. Several years later, she completed an executive MBA at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management

Mary devoted more than four decades to a distinguished career in healthcare. She served as an infection preventionist and occupational health nurse at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, then as chief infection control officer and director of clinical quality at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Later, she served as a special projects leader at the Covenant Health corporate office, developing training to prepare all Covenant Health infection prevention nurses for board certification examinations.

Her vast knowledge and dedication to her work touched many lives over the years. Patients who benefited from the excellent care she helped provide, colleagues, and those who came after her, to whom she passed on her wisdom, skill, and dedication.

The professional organizations she belonged to included the Association for the Prevention and Infection Control (APIC), the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), and the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA). She served in various leadership roles within these organizations, including on the Education Review Board for the National APIC, where she helped write and validate examination questions.

Mary is survived by her husband of 35 years, Dick Harrison; her brother Scott Keener and Scott's wife Elaine Keener, daughter Alicia Keener and daughter Marissa Keener (Tom Jones); her sister Margaret Williamson and Margaret's husband Mitchell Williamson and son William Lyday; her brother Joel Keener and her stepchildren Jude Harris (and sons Leo and Lucas) and Charlie Harrison (and sons Benjamin and Andrew).

Mary was an avid reader and loved the novels of Jane Austen and her daily Wall Street Journal. She generously shared her baking expertise with family and friends. Along with her husband Dick, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with their extended family.

Mary enhanced the lives of her family, the many friends and colleagues who loved her and enjoyed the privilege of knowing her, and the many patients who benefited from her exceptional skill and care.