MACKENZIE, Helen, Dr (1917-2009)
Assembly memorial minute 2009
Helen, daughter of Presbyterian missionaries in Korea, Rev J Noble and Mary Mackenzie, graduated in medicine from Melbourne University and worked during World War 2 at the Queen Victoria Hospital.
She became a missionary of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria in China from 1945-50, and, with her father and sisters, established a hospital in Yunnan. When the Communists took over China they were forced to leave, braving a treacherous journey along the Burma Road where they faced bandits, extreme weather and dangerous roads in a jeep with no brakes. Eventually they reached Busan, South Korea, in 1952. Here they established a women’s hospital, training doctors in obstetrics and nurses in midwifery.
Helen wrote and published a biography of her father’s life: “Mackenzie, man of mission: a biography of James Noble Mackenzie". Rev J Noble Mackenzie was a former Moderator of this General Assembly.
In later years the Mackenzies opted to associate with the Uniting Church, but never exclusively. The sisters were very keen to meet with the Clerk of Assembly last year and proudly presented the PCV archive with a very fine oil portrait of their father.
In retirement she lived with her sisters Lucy and Sheila in the family home at Deepdene until she was admitted to a nursing home recently. She is held in high esteem by the Korean community in Australia, her fellow missionaries, and those members of Presbyterian and Uniting churches who knew of her faith and dedication to the work of the Lord.
Sang Gyoo Lee, in his book “To Korea With Love" writes regarding the PCV mission work in South Korea: "Over fifty years the Australian mission exerted a tremendous influence and contribution in edifying the body of Christ. ” The Mackenzies were an integral part of this influence.
Dr Helen Mackenzie died on 18 September 2009, aged 92.
Gender
- Female