Assumption College/Early Death

In October 1954, Queenie was appointed as a professor in physics and engineering at Assumption College. She was hired to provide the additional instruction demanded by the growing interest and registration in science and engineering. During her brief academic career, It appears that she was well respected and admired by both her colleagues and students.

In January 1955 she fell ill. She had damaged lungs as a result of severe asthma, and unfortunately, managed to contract pneumonia. Sadly, she died February 2, 1955, in Metropolitan Hospital, at the age of only 42. Her funeral was held at Assumption Church, with some of her students acting as pallbearers. She was buried in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.

After her death, Dr. Frederick Shirley established a scholarship in Queenie’s name at Assumption College. It was for a period of 10 years and consisted of a grant of $200 annually for an engineering student of either sex. Similar scholarships were also set up at the University of Michigan and the Detroit Institute of Technology. Her collection of 500 science and engineering books and periodicals was donated to Assumption College Library.