Remembering Maureen Cavanaugh (1955-2005)

As we noted here with great sadness on Tuesday, our friend and colleague Maureen Cavanaugh has passed away at the too-young age of 50.  Maureen's husband, Chris Plum, has graciously allowed me to share the following information with the tax community:

• Please feel free to send Chris a note to express your condolences and share your remembrances of Maureen, either via email here or via snail mail at 11430 Blackwelltown Road, Midland, VA  22728
• There will be a memorial service for Maureen next Friday (appropriately, April 15) at Penn State-Dickinson in Carlisle, Pennsylvania at 11:30 AM.
• If you would like to make a gift in Maureen's honor, Penn State is establishing a faculty research fellowship in her name.  Contact Penn State Dean Philip J. McConnaughay here for more information.
• Chris writes: "I am sure that many people are asking what the cause of Maureen's untimely death was, and the best explanation (one that she and I agreed upon, although the doctors were unable to come up with a conclusion) is that Maureen had a long (since 1991) struggle with breast cancer, and that when she finally felt she was past it and had a very bright future ahead of her (although even she felt that would probably not be more than 10 years) it struck back without warning and with a vengeance."
• Finally, Chris has written this incredibly moving biography of Maureen that I hope you will take the time to read to learn more about our very special friend and colleague.  We will do well to heed Chris's closing words: "please remember Maureen as I do, with a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye, and a thought in her mind that will surprise and delight us all."