Kerry Elizabeth Hackett

I met Kerry when we were both sworn in to NIMH in 2001. We struck up a friendship then which we renewed each time that Kerry was over to a NIMH conference, keeping in touch meanwhile by letter every Christmas. I spent a lovely day and evening with her at her then home in Stratford, Ontario, in 2012 and she and Al visited our home a year or two later. She was a lovely friend, with a great sense of humour and I will remember her with great fondness and a smile. Go well, Kerry xxx

I just found out that Kerry has left this earth. I am saddened to lose a wonderful friend of 30 years. Her sense of humour and laughter (and health advice) will be dearly missed. Kerry will be missed by many. My sincere condolences to Al and family.

I'm so very sorry to hear of Kerry's passing. Kerry and I became friends after studying for the MSc in Herbal Medicine from UCLAN and kept in contact via email after graduating. Kerry was always fascinating to talk to and her passion for the work she was doing shone through. I always enjoyed our catch-ups, talking about our families and what we were growing in the garden, and Kerry had a kindness and sense of humour that will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. With much love, Helen xx

I first met Kerry through email discussing her attendance at a Shaker Forum in Enfield at the Enfield Shaker Museum and the possibility of her presenting. That she did! And as others have mentioned, she continued. Her first presentation would be about plants and she sent me an illustration of Eupatoise. She was passionate about her studies and she was a breath of fresh air. She became a regular at the Forum. She would always come to the Museum and stay a day or two before so she could enjoy the solitude of the Great Stone Dwelling and on some level be in the Shaker's presence. We also got to spend some time together where she shared her knowledge. I learned a great deal from her. My last real communication with her after my leaving the Museum was to discuss choosing a Town Flower for Enfield. She was very thoughtful and sent me several resources and lots of advice. I will always remember her genuine outlook on things and her smile. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.

My deepest condolences to you, Al, and all of Kerry’s family (natural, adopted, or 4-legged). Our annual reunions at the Guelph Organic Conference were always so much fun as we caught up on the news of the past year, tried the new craft brews from Wellington county, or got the condensed version of Kerry’s upcoming workshops and presentations. Another fine soul has departed this world, leaving her bright light in the hearts and minds of those who loved her.

I am so sorry at the passing of Kerry. I was course leader of the MSc Herbal Medicine in Preston UK when Kerry joined us more than 12 years ago. I supervised her masters dissertation then formed the supervisory team for her Professional Doctorate in Health. Kerry was such a dedicated, assiduous student and her revised monograph on Shaker medicine deserves to be published in honour of its author. That she will not be seeing this through herself is such a loss.

I want to express my sincere condolences to Al and his family and his extended family with the passing of Kerry. I also want to express my condolences to the many friends of Kerry with her loss. I know I will always cherish her opinion and guidance in the health of our cats, but also in our own health and well being. Or getting advice on either to use one of her products (home made, by Kerry) or another, by Kerry recommended, over the counter supplement. Jan Pel

Thank you for sharing Kerry’s service of remembrance and burial. I am part of the community that came to know and respect Kerry through the thoughtful Shaker scholarship that she pursued with such passion. And how wonderful to learn of all the other loving Canadian relationships and communities that made her life so rich, purposeful and joy-filled. Kerry engaged all of us with what she was learning. Her talks at our gatherings were always a bit of an adventure. Centered in how the Shaker community addressed its medical needs, Kerry’s probing research questions and sensitivity to surprising connections often took us down paths we didn’t know we’d be on. I join in your expressions of shock, loss, and gratitude for all that Kerry nurtured, accomplished, and shared with so many.

For many years now, Kerry has been a shining star at the Shaker Forum. She usually came a few days early; we all looked forward to that. She radiated joy and friendship at every moment. Her scholarship was careful and excellent; her talks original and fascinating. What a pleasure it was to know Kerry; we will miss her. Lux aeterna luceat ei. With love, Dick and Carolyn

I only knew Kerry from the Enfield Shaker Forum, but what I knew was a strong and serious scholar, who I found to be both generous in sharing what she knew and thoughtful in her work. I will miss her.

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. Kerry was tremendously generous with her research and knowledge and so kind and supportive. Her work made a lasting difference in the world. My deepest sympathy to her family. May good memories sustain you as you grieve.

Such shocking and sad news. Kerry was a shining light to her fellow Shaker scholars. Her loss is a terrible blow. My deep condolences to her family. We will miss Kerry deeply.

This is terrible news — shocking and sad Kerry was a wonderful Shaker scholar, full of information, insights, and arresting questions. She combined knowledge and curiosity with gracious sharing of research ideas. We wrote about pursuing several topics together. The field of Shaker Studies has lost more than can easily be expressed— not only her speciality, but her keen presentations and her probing questions. I want her family to how much we valued this extraordinary woman and Friend.

Kerry was a beautiful person: thoughtful, kind, bright, always eager to share. And, she had so much to share too! I will miss her a great deal and the Shaker World is sadly at a loss with Kerry's passing. May her memory be blessed.

It was a great privilege to meet Kerry Hackett at Hancock Shaker Village Library, USA, and help her first in research concerning the Shakers of America, and subsequently, later follow her deepening and broadening, highly original studies, leading to a doctoral dissertation and degree! Her activities and research were truly inspiring and remarkable! I will miss her and remember how many people she has deeply impressed and wowed.

Dear Alan and family, Deepest condolences on the deep loss of Kerry. This is so shocking and a huge loss to many of her friends and colleagues in the health community. Kerry worked in my Stratford clinic in the mid-2000's before starting a home practice. Prior to this I had been her client, and her depth of knowledge, compassion and humour were second to none. And on at least 3 occasions she definitely helped me manage major health issues. Kerry was warm and insightful and I loved talking to her. Last fall we had a long conversation, when she called seeking advise to help a client. We ended up talking as though I had just seen her yesterday; I had no idea it would be the last time we would speak. Kerry inspired my daughter to seek a career in Medical Herbalism and she was always willing to mentor and encourage her. Wishing you peace as you process her loss. Sincerely, Marilyn Holmes

I met Kerry in high school when she worked at a clinic with my mother. She answered all my questions about herbalism and plant medicine, and years later, during my ongoing herbal studies, I got to hear her present about her research at an herb conference. The best part about herbalism is the constant learning, and Kerry really embodied that for me.

We are so saddened by the loss of such beautiful person. We are sorry for your loss. Due to illness we were unable to attend but were with you all in spirit. Our deepest condolences to you all.

We are very sorry for your loss, wish we could have attended but both of us are ill. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers! Love Cousin Karen ( Buchkowski)