Surrounded by her loved ones, Dr. Daune L. MacGregor, former paediatric neurologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, passed away on August 9, 2024, at St. Michael's Hospital.
Daune was predeceased by her parents, Don MacGregor and Mary Elizabeth (Molly) MacGregor; and her sister, Mary Lou MacGregor. She is survived by her daughter, Dru MacGregor; her siblings, Dru MacGregor Ball and Kelly MacGregor; her niece, Caitlin Rodger; and her nephews, Duncan Rodger, Andrew Ball and Jacob Eidelberg MacGregor.
Daune was born in Winnipeg in 1947 and grew up in Saskatoon. She completed her medical training at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating cum laude in 1971. She continued her training in paediatric neurology in Toronto at SickKids, and did post-graduate studies in developmental neurology at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, England, and the Children's Hospital Medical Centre at Harvard University in Boston. Following her first faculty appointment in 1979 at SickKids and the University of Toronto, her outstanding career spanned almost 45 years.
Daune's research interest was in cerebral vascular disorders including stroke and headache, and neurological development disorders including acquired brain injury in children. She was appointed as a full professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Toronto in 1995. She served as a staff neurologist at SickKids and as the Director of the Headache Program and at the Center for Headache at Women's College Hospital. Daune did two terms as Associate Pediatrician in Chief, and as Associate Chair, Clinical Services, Department of Paediatrics at SickKids. She was the Associate Medical Director for SickKids International and a president of the Canadian Association of Child Neurology.
Daune's leadership roles spanned many hospitals, and university clinical and training programs. She mentored countless residents, fellows and faculty members and generously passed on her knowledge to the next generation. Her colleagues spoke of her wise advice, her dedication to clinical service and her devotion to her patients. Daune received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2012 for outstanding service in public health care, and she was recognized with the 2023 Canadian Association of Child Neurology Henry Dunn Lifetime Achievement Award.
To her family, Daune was the matriarch, who kept us all in line. We turned to her with our problems, and for medical advice. She had an infectious laugh and a wry sense of humour. Daune loved to sing, usually too loud, and always off key. We will all miss her in our lives.
Daune's family would like to thank the Palliative Care team at St. Michael's Hospital for their attention to Daune's needs and for their tremendous support for Daune's family. Cremation has taken place and no service will be held. A Celebration of Life is planned at a date to be announced later.
Whenever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.
— Hippocrates