Paula A. McKenzie, MD
June 25, 1956 ~ December 17, 2021
On December 17, 2021, Paula Antoinette Marie McKenzie, a loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away after a long, hard fought battle with cardiac amyloidosis.
Paula was born on June 25, 1956 to Roy and Verena McKenzie in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1963 young Paula and her family emigrated from Jamaica to the United States. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School and Fontbonne High School. She received her Bachelors of Science from Yale University and her M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. Paula was a practicing OB/GYN for over 30 years. She was in love with and extremely passionate about being able to help her patients through the journey of childbirth with all of its ups and downs.
Paula loved with her whole heart. No matter who you were, or what role you played in her life, once you were in her life, you were loved. As the eldest daughter and second child of 12, she often acted like a second mother for her younger siblings, whether they asked her to or not. She loved all her siblings immensely and wanted to do what she could to help support them, even if it came off as her being their bossy older sister. When it came to her three daughters, that love could be seen in the examples she set, the life she provided them, and the care she gave them. She pushed her daughters to be their very best and set high expectations, which in turn enabled them to not settle for less. For her grandsons, that love could be seen through the absolute joy displayed on her face whenever they were present and the various ways in which she spoiled them.
Paula was a deeply prayerful woman and a devout member of the Catholic Church. Her faith was a large part of who she was and was something she carried with even through the most challenging moments in her life. God was her savior and she was truly a woman of God. She praised God with her whole being and encouraged all of those around her to do the same. She was a role model for all of those in her life in various ways. She was an active church member and volunteered with various Catholic charities and organizations.
Paula loved to travel the world and explore nature. She felt a special connection to trees and absolutely loved being on the beach in hot weather. She would often escape to somewhere warmer during the colder winter months because as she liked to say, she was an island girl at heart and wasn’t built for the cold.
Paula is survived by her three daughters, Syrena, Nicole, and Maya, grandsons Keith (KJ) and Ezekiel, her siblings Michele, Peter, Paul, Gerard, Christopher, Zoe Anne, Joseph, John, Jaime, and Verena and her former spouse Willie. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and loving friends. She was predeceased by her father Roy, her mother Verena, her brother Roy, and her son-in-law Keith.
She will be missed by all whose lives she touched, no matter how briefly or limited the interaction may have been. She is not someone who is easily forgotten and therefore, despite her being gone from this Earth, she is not gone from our hearts and minds. She will live on in the memories of all those who loved her.
The family will receive friends at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, Va., on Monday, December 27th from 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 28th at 11:00 AM at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1419 V St. NW, Washington, DC 20009. Interment will be private.
Ways to honor her memory:
Paula was someone who loved flowers, nature, and plants and so we welcome floral donations. If you wish to send flowers, please have them sent to Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. W, Vienna, VA 22180, In memory of Paula A. McKenzie
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the following organizations that held a special place in Paula’s heart:
● Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica
○ 26 South Camp Rd, Kingston 4, Jamaica, West Indies
○ https://www.rsmjm.org/about-us/
● The Alpha Institute
○ 26 South Camp Rd, KIngston 4, Jamaica, West Indies
○ https://alphaboysschool.org/
● God’s Prophetic Outreach Ministry, Inc Attn: Apostle Freddie Grant, Pastor
○ 3920 Old Middleburg Road, Jacksonville, FL 32238
○ http://godspropheticoutreachministry.com/
Paula was born on June 25, 1956 to Roy and Verena McKenzie in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1963 young Paula and her family emigrated from Jamaica to the United States. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School and Fontbonne High School. She received her Bachelors of Science from Yale University and her M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. Paula was a practicing OB/GYN for over 30 years. She was in love with and extremely passionate about being able to help her patients through the journey of childbirth with all of its ups and downs.
Paula loved with her whole heart. No matter who you were, or what role you played in her life, once you were in her life, you were loved. As the eldest daughter and second child of 12, she often acted like a second mother for her younger siblings, whether they asked her to or not. She loved all her siblings immensely and wanted to do what she could to help support them, even if it came off as her being their bossy older sister. When it came to her three daughters, that love could be seen in the examples she set, the life she provided them, and the care she gave them. She pushed her daughters to be their very best and set high expectations, which in turn enabled them to not settle for less. For her grandsons, that love could be seen through the absolute joy displayed on her face whenever they were present and the various ways in which she spoiled them.
Paula was a deeply prayerful woman and a devout member of the Catholic Church. Her faith was a large part of who she was and was something she carried with even through the most challenging moments in her life. God was her savior and she was truly a woman of God. She praised God with her whole being and encouraged all of those around her to do the same. She was a role model for all of those in her life in various ways. She was an active church member and volunteered with various Catholic charities and organizations.
Paula loved to travel the world and explore nature. She felt a special connection to trees and absolutely loved being on the beach in hot weather. She would often escape to somewhere warmer during the colder winter months because as she liked to say, she was an island girl at heart and wasn’t built for the cold.
Paula is survived by her three daughters, Syrena, Nicole, and Maya, grandsons Keith (KJ) and Ezekiel, her siblings Michele, Peter, Paul, Gerard, Christopher, Zoe Anne, Joseph, John, Jaime, and Verena and her former spouse Willie. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and loving friends. She was predeceased by her father Roy, her mother Verena, her brother Roy, and her son-in-law Keith.
She will be missed by all whose lives she touched, no matter how briefly or limited the interaction may have been. She is not someone who is easily forgotten and therefore, despite her being gone from this Earth, she is not gone from our hearts and minds. She will live on in the memories of all those who loved her.
The family will receive friends at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, Va., on Monday, December 27th from 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 28th at 11:00 AM at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1419 V St. NW, Washington, DC 20009. Interment will be private.
Ways to honor her memory:
Paula was someone who loved flowers, nature, and plants and so we welcome floral donations. If you wish to send flowers, please have them sent to Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. W, Vienna, VA 22180, In memory of Paula A. McKenzie
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the following organizations that held a special place in Paula’s heart:
● Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica
○ 26 South Camp Rd, Kingston 4, Jamaica, West Indies
○ https://www.rsmjm.org/about-us/
● The Alpha Institute
○ 26 South Camp Rd, KIngston 4, Jamaica, West Indies
○ https://alphaboysschool.org/
● God’s Prophetic Outreach Ministry, Inc Attn: Apostle Freddie Grant, Pastor
○ 3920 Old Middleburg Road, Jacksonville, FL 32238
○ http://godspropheticoutreachministry.com/
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I had the unique opportunity to work at Dr. McKenzie’s office for a few months after I graduated college. She helped me gain some valuable experience in the women’s health field that helped me get into nursing school and eventually become a Labor & Delivery nurse. I remember the joy she cared for her patients with, and how much she loved being an OBGYN. Throughout her office I observed unique things about her such as her love for plants, her Christmas decor enthusiasm, pictures of Nicole Maya and Syrena, her wall with pictures of babies she delivered over the years, her love for tea, and her love for God. She was an inspiring physician, and very loving mother to my best friend Nicole. Rest in peace, Dr. McKenzie. Thank you for your kind heart that was always willing to lend me a helping hand. And thank you for raising quality daughters, you’ve given me one of my greatest life-long friends and I am forever grateful. -Andrea Valdez
Paula was joy! Camara Jones, friend from Stanford Medical School
Dr. Paula McKenzie delivered 2 of my 3 daughters. She was so helpful and amazing as a OB/GYN. I had complications with my youngest daughter and she made me feel so comfortable with the life of my child and myself in her hands. I will pray for her family.
May she Rest in Paradise ❤️ very great soul.
I met Paula at Washington Adventist Hospital I was the Clinical Educator for the GYN/ General Service. Dr McKenzie was young, gifted and talented and did not require any assistance at all. She was a pleasure to work with it was if she was born to be a lady doctor. It was later we realized that we belonged to the same Church family St Augustine. We became lasting friends. I remembered late one night a call from Paula she was undecided to join a practice and leave KAISER. I encouraged her to leave Kaiser and discouraged her joining a private practice that was not very nice to be frank. But I did encourage her to take the leap and start her own practice and she did just that! Paula was someone once you spoke to her you became her forever friend. She knew what she wanted and she didn’t mind working to get it. She adored her family. I will truly miss you. I love you Paula but God loves you best. Your friend forever Essie Orekoya. I will never forget our Sister’s In Shape to Barbados
Sending the family my condolences and prayers for Paula, such a special and precious soul. I first met Paula when my best friend Mona married her younger brother Joe. She was that second Mom to Joe, never afraid to share her opinion for what she thought was best for Joe and the family. I loved her passion for life and for family. It was always evident to me that she did whatever she could for her love of family. Her faith in the Catholic Church also ran deep. May she rest in eternal peace with God and the family who preceded here to paradise. Peace & Love, Beth A. Boyer
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Video
I didn’t know Paula very well. I met her briefly at a party in 1990. A few months later, I photographed her with two other African American doctors for my book, “Songs of My People.” That photograph became an iconic image, encouraging young girls they can dream and strive for whatever goals they want to achieve in life! Rest in Power!
Our Heartfelt and deepest Condolences extended to Sirena, Nicole, Maya and the entire Families. May God’s Amazing Grace, Love, and Peace envelop your hearts and bring you comfort. The beautiful, precious and treasured memories shared with Paula will be forever etched on our hearts. She was definitely a beautiful soul that impacted countless lives. Thanks Paula for the opportunity to work with you at your office, for many lunches we shared and for the fun and laughter shared at the Basketball games while cheering on our daughters Maya and Kyra. You will be missed. May your soul rest in Eternal Peace! With Love Gillian and Family!
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Paula and I met in June 1987, we were taking a course in Downtown Chicago to prepare for our written OB GYN board certification. That was the start of a great friendship, despite living in different states and having families and OB GYN private practices we were in the Journey of Life and shared our experiences. Paula was full of life and Faith! She encouraged me to In so many ways, and I am so grateful for our friendship/ sisterhood. Paula’s greatest love was her family, especially her Mom, daughters, Grandsons And siblings/ nieces and friends. She was a special person that could incorporate her friends to become part of her family. I will carry her spirit in my heart and mind. Rest in Power and Peace Paula, Our Eternal Angel.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Dear Paula Thank you for being there from the start of my medical school journey and walking that challenging path hand in hand. I cherish the memories both happy and difficult as we both were able to be successful. Your faith helped us both many times. I could always count on that smile. Love Adrienne
Paula was always joyful in the full life she lived. Marcus Garvey Wilson, Stanford Medicine
Dearest Syrena, Nicole, and Maya and the entire McKenzie family – Please accept our deepest condolences during this time of sorrow. May God continue to look over your family and give you peace and comfort with each other as you mourn. May your mother, grandmother, sister and aunt rest in eternal peace. – With all of our hearts – Paul and Nicola (Grey – Althea’s sister) Grant and Family.
To the family, Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Paula. She and I met at Inova Alexandria Hospital in 1998 and later on we colleagues who covered call with each other. She was a dear friend and colleague and a fighter to the end. She will be missed but be encourage you will see her again in Paradise.
On behalf of Shewn O Winfree, Jr and i you have I’ll deepest condolences.
The WonderTwins and I along with the Edwards Family in Flatbush+Florida send NUFF love, light, condolences, prayers, upliftment, and positive vibes to the McKenzie Family. We honour and remember QueenDr. Paula — NUFF RESPECT. Her legacy lives on in each life that she touched.???
My Condolences to Michelle & the McKenzie Family. I am so sorry for your loss. Cherish Paula’s memories. She had so much to offer her family & humanity. All the people she helped on her life’s journey. When loss becomes a memory, Cherish the Memory. May her soul Rest In Peace ?♥️She is in the loving arms of the Lord, & in the presence of her parents & brother.
She was my gynecologist for both my sons. A very caring and smart physician!. MAy her would rest in peace!
A candle was lit for the decedent.
I am so deeply saddened to hear that Dr. McKenzie has passed. She was my OBGYN when I first moved to Alexandria VA in 2004. I will always remember that phone call when she told me I was pregnant (and I had to sit down in shock!) Such a great role model for black women and will be missed! Warm thoughts to her beloved family. Love Katrina Hubbard Dunlap
I just heard about Paula’s death – as a colleague for many years in the community, I just wanted to say I am so sad to hear of her passing, as she was so lovely to collaborate with over the years. May her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.
–Robyn Brickel, M.A., LMFT