|
MAUREEN KENNEDY SALAMAN OBITUARY August 19, 2006
MAUREEN KENNEDY SALAMAN April 4, 1936 – August 17, 2006
by Scott C. Tips |
|
The First Lady of Nutrition, Maureen Kennedy Salaman, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Atherton, with loving friends at her side. An internationally known expert, lecturer, and author in the field of health and nutrition, Maureen’s accomplishments could fill volumes. Petite, yet willful, Maureen often surprised those who did not know her with the force and persistence of her energy, drive, and intelligence. To those who knew her, though, this was simply vintage Maureen.
Born in Glendale, California, Maureen early on moved to San Mateo County with her family, where she attended Sacred Heart School in Menlo Park. Later, she studied at and received her degree from the International University of Nutritional Education as well as an honorary doctorate from Oral Roberts University. The British Guild of Drugless Practitioners also recognized her educational achievements as did the Canadian Council of Professional Certification.
Maureen authored many bestselling books – including her monumental encyclopedia All Your Health Questions Answered Naturally. Her books, which are still in print with multiple reprintings, have sold many millions of copies throughout the World to people seeking nutritional answers to health problems.
Not content with just being a bestselling author, Maureen also spread her message of health and freedom by founding and editing several nutritional and health-freedom magazines as well as writing columns and articles for various newspapers and journals. She also was a speaker of extraordinary ability who knew how to say just those words that could touch and motivate individuals. Because of those skills and talents, she appeared regularly on television and radio programs and even hosted her own television program, Making Healthy Choices, reaching some 40 million viewers throughout the United States. Maureen had a unique talent for motivating people to take personal action to better their own lives.
Fervently patriotic, Maureen believed in her country and the men and women who defended it. In 1984 she was a vice presidential candidate for a major third political party. In 2006, just a few months ago, she was asked to give the memorial speech at the 62nd anniversary commemoration of the World War II D-Day invasion of Normandy in Sainte Mere Eglise, at which time Maureen received a medal from the American parachutist veterans' organization. It was her last of many trips to France and Europe.
Her patriotism also extended to her belief that America should remain the land of health freedom. A tireless campaigner for health freedom for more than 30 years, Maureen was both major financial support for and president of the National Health Federation – the world’s oldest health-freedom organization for consumers – for more than 20 unprecedented terms. She once single-handedly prevented dietary supplements from being subjected to harsh postal restrictions by commandeering an airplane seat next to the sponsoring congressman as he returned home and convincing him by the end of the flight to withdraw his bill. In 2005, the NHF awarded Maureen its Health Freedom Hero award for a lifetime of achievement in promoting health freedom.
Generous to a fault, Maureen was always quickly ready to pull out her checkbook to fund worthy charities. She was the sole support for many years for Camp Hope, a Connecticut-based charity that provides numerous inner-city children the chance each year to get out of the city and spend time in a country environment. She also was actively involved in funding and promoting numerous animal-rescue and care organizations, including especially Redwood City-based Pets In Need, Inc., upon whose board of directors she had also served.
A longtime member of the Cathedral of Faith, Maureen was a devout Christian who regularly attended and provided financial support for the church. She also was a member of the Knights of St. John.
Maureen was a widow who left no husband. She is survived, however, by her brother, Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gillespie, a son, Sean David Morton, and many close friends. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of this warm and loving woman on Monday, August 21st, at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Faith, 2315 Canoas Garden Avenue in San Jose. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Camp Hope, P.O. Box 1622, Litchfield, CT 06759, or the National Health Federation, P.O. Box 688, Monrovia, CA 91017. Maureen's last wishes were to have her life's works continued.
.
|
