2/05/07--Boston College Law School is saddened by the loss of one of its students, Meghan Catherine Cooney, class of 2007.  Meghan died unexpectedly on January 29th.   Plans are underway for a memorial service at the Law School later his semester to celebrate Meghan's life.

"Meghan's death is a grievous loss for our community," said Dean for Students Norah Wylie. "I hope we can all take solace by rejoicing in the blessing of her life and in our great good fortune in having known her, even if for too short a time. We should also take inspiration from the fact that so much of her short time on earth was spent in caring for and helping others."

Meghan, a LEND Fellow recipient, had recently accepted a position with Edwards, Angel, Palmer, and Dodge that she would have assumed after graduation this Spring.  She was the daughter of Edward J. and Mary C. (O'Reilly) Cooney of North Kingstown. She is also survived by her two brothers, Edward J. Cooney, Jr. of Boston, MA, and Neal T. Cooney of North Kingstown. She was the granddaughter of Catherine A. O'Reilly of Bourne, MA and the late Thomas J. O'Reilly and the late Judge John P. and Margaret M. Cooney.

Meghan was a graduate of the Prout School, where she was Student Government President and Salutatorian of her class. At Prout she captained the soccer, basketball and softball teams and was selected first team all division in all three sports. She also was the Captain of the Boys Tennis Team her junior year.  Meghan graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with honors and worked at Butler Hospital in Providence as a Research Associate prior to attending law school. She was awarded a highly prestigious LEND Fellowship for the 2006-2007 academic year, the only law student in the United States to receive this fellowship. As a LEND Fellow, Meghan was working at Boston Childrens Hospital on the rights of the developmentally delayed individuals. Meghan was a member of the Dunes Club and the Point Judith Country Club where she was Girls Club Tennis champion several years as a young girl.

In a recent letter to members of her class, BC Law Professor Mary Ann Chirba-Martin described Meghan as a beautiful young woman "whose smile could light up the darkest room and melt the coldest heart...her passion for working on behalf of the rights of developmentally disabled children led to her selection as this year's 'LEND' Fellow by Boston Children's Hospital.  Her work there gave her a rare and invaluable opportunity to participate in a rigorous interdisciplinary training program with the very best of the best working in this field.  However, her work also enabled the other LEND Fellows and their program directors to learn from Meghan how important the law is, whether designing and implementing policy initiatives at the macro level or connecting a child and her family with life-changing services at the micro level.

"When someone dies, I always cringe when that person is held up as some sort of saint, god or goddess.  I cringe because I think it cannot possibly be true but, far more importantly, because it dishonors the unique way in which that person was human, - complex, gifted, flawed and so wonderfully and truly human.  So, I am not writing to canonize Meghan.  Perhaps the reason I am writing this is simply to let you know just how extraordinary this person was who sat so quietly at the back of 408 each Wednesday afternoon.  Perhaps I am just letting you know that if you are passionate about something - be it the rights of children with more challenges than anyone should have to endure, or opening that little boutique, or rowing or playing poker - whatever - well, perhaps I am writing simply to remind you that you can act on those passions now, as Meghan clearly did. 

"Or maybe I am writing to remind you of something far more fundamental.  After all, there is nothing like tragedy to place our worlds into VERY sharp focus and remind us of all the really important things we already know, but too readily forget in juggling the daily stuff that pulls us from one day to the next:  Yes, here is the point: Meghan was extraordinary but, as you know, at BC Law, extraordinary people are blessedly common.  So, I think I am writing simply to remind you to savor your health and, even more importantly, cherish your friends - and let them know it."

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, in memory of Meghan C. Cooney, will be appreciated.