Nursing School Mourns the Loss of Colleague and Friend Karen Kmetz

The School of Nursing is mourning the loss of Karen Kmetz, coordinator of multimedia services, who passed away Aug. 1 after an 11-year battle with breast cancer.

Kmetz first joined Duquesne in 2003 as the nursing school’s webmaster.

“A beloved colleague and friend, Karen was our webmaster, designer, multimedia expert and so much more,” Nursing Dean Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow said. “She was always optimistic and a real joy to work with. So many knew of her bravery, laughter and zest for life. She always said that cancer did not define her–what an inspiration to us all.”

Cherith Simmer, assistant dean of recruitment and enrollment management, echoed Glasgow’s words. “Karen valiantly fought her breast cancer for 11 years, undergoing surgeries, procedures, tests and chemotherapy,” she said. “She was strong and brave—and always an inspiration to us. She often said that she was more than her diagnosis.”

In a 2016 Breast Cancer Wellness magazine article, The Power of “AND,” Kmetz wrote candidly of her personal journey following her 2008 diagnosis with stage IV breast cancer at age 45.  “I am a thriver, wife, sister, co-worker, neighbor, pet-lover and friend. It is true that I am so much more than a diagnosis, and so are you.”

The School of Nursing will host a memorial for Kmetz on Monday, Sept. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Union’s Africa Room. The campus community is invited to attend.