Mary Theresa Drouin, age 66, of Kensington, Maryland passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at her Maryland home.  A memorial service will be held at Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th. The family will receive guests for a reception immediately following the service at Mary’s home. 

Mary was born August 22, 1953 in Houston, TX, the sixth child of Mary McDonnell Drouin Kelly and Andre Henri Drouin. Mary attended Memorial High School in Houston, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas in Austin.  

Mary had an accomplished career as an engineer, most recently serving as a Senior Program Manager/Advisor at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Mary spent more than 30 years working in the nuclear field, primarily in safety analysis. Among her many achievements she participated in risk assessment for U.S. nuclear power plants, chaired international risk assessment committees, worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and interacted with foreign regulators. She was bestowed with numerous awards including the 2009 Bernard F. Langer award, three Distinguished Service Awards and a Meritorious Service Award from the NRC.

Among Mary’s favorite activities was time spent with her large family and circle of friends. Whether hosting a meal or holiday party, her home was often filled with visits from her nine siblings, numerous cousins and friends. Mary was known for her generous and welcoming spirit and often hosted her nieces and nephews for months at a time as they launched their careers in Washington, D.C. Mary had a great love for the arts and frequently attended theatre performances at the Kennedy Center with her friends and family. She loved to travel and explore new places – whether within the United States, across Europe or on a month-long trek through Australia.

Mary’s life was cut short due to her long battle with Melanoma cancer. She also struggled with lymphedema throughout her life. Mary was a strong advocate for other patients and was a leading force behind the Lymphedema Support Group at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. The team at the Lymphedema Clinic loved and cared selflessly for Mary over the years.

Mary’s approach to life can be summed up by: “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” We will miss our sister, aunt, cousin, friend and colleague more than words can express.

Mary is survived by her nine siblings and their spouses Rene (Julie), Paul (Ingrid), Katharine (Harry), Jeannette (Mickey), Andrew, Dominic (Linda), Anne (Craig), Robert (Sheila), Patricia (Michael); her 18 nieces and nephews and her 44 cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary McDonnell Drouin Kelly, and her father, Andre Henri Drouin.

Donations in her honor may be given to the Lymphedema Program at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.