Mackenzie “Kenzie” Elizabeth Michalski

PORTLAND, OR: It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mackenzie “Kenzie” Elizabeth Michalski, 31, of Portland, Oregon, who died on November 5, 2024 while on vacation in Budapest, Hungary. Born in Buffalo on January 18, 1993, the first born child of William and Jill (Burek) Michalski, she was raised in Fredonia.

Since early childhood Kenzie loved amusement parks, Halloween, and haunted houses. She enjoyed family trips to Gettysburg and Philadelphia as well as annual visits to Florida. An avid music fan, Kenzie saw hundreds of bands at numerous concerts and always stood as close to the stage as possible. Warped Tour at Darien Lake and the ETID Christmas show were among her favorites.

Mackenzie graduated from Fredonia High School in 2010. She received her A.A.S. in Nursing from Trocaire College (’13), her B.S. in Nursing (’14) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner M.S. (’16) from Daemen College, all with honors. She was also a recipient of the competitive Advanced Nursing Education Expansion grant for her Nurse Practitioner training.

Kenzie worked as a registered nurse, charge nurse, nurse preceptor, and critical care nurse practitioner in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit and Medical Intensive Care Unit at Buffalo General Medical Center, where she was born. At the time of her death Kenzie was a Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.

Kenzie touched so many lives with her indescribably magical personality, unique sense of humor, tireless energy, amazing sense of style, strong work ethic, and dedication to helping others.

She led a life dedicated to community service. In addition to diligent work at hospitals in Buffalo and Portland were her volunteer trips abroad with Hope For Tomorrow Foundation to Haiti and Ghana. Here she worked with like-minded medical professionals donating time and expertise to provide medical treatment to patients who were otherwise unable to receive help in these impoverished places.

An experienced world traveler, her favorite destinations included Budapest, Thailand, and Vietnam. She also toured through Europe and visited Egypt, Iceland and India. Not a casual tourist or vacationer, Kenzie immersed herself in the history and culture of each destination, making the most of every trip. Her domestic adventures included skydiving, rock climbing, skiing and scuba diving. A devoted lover of nature and animals, she enjoyed caring for a wide variety of pets throughout her life.

Kenzie is survived and mourned by her loving parents, William and Jill Michalski; cherished brother Nicholas; adoring grandmothers Joyce Michalski and Joanne Burek; aunts, uncles and cousins; her beloved miniature dachshund Juniper; and countless dear friends and colleagues.

She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather Ronald Michalski and her maternal grandfather Thomas Burek.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 12:00pm, with a reception to follow until 4:00pm.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Oregon Dachshund Rescue Inc. at odr-inc.org or the Multnomah County Central Library.

Kenzie’s memory and legacy will endure in the hearts of all whom she touched. To understand her spirit is to wholeheartedly embrace the vast joy and wonder of life. Kenzie’s wish for the world: fully embrace the present moment, be your authentic self, practice kindness, and always walk in the light.

We love you to infinity and beyond.

Local arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville.

To post condolences or memories go to https:// rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.