Mk Parham Shean (8 November 1950 – 16 January 2021).
Mk was born in Lebanon, Oregon. From her earliest years she was a hard worker and excellent student. She graduated from Oregon State University, BA Mathematics, and the University of Portland, MS Electrical Engineering. She began her career at the Bonneville Power Authority in Portland where she rapidly advanced through a select management program. However, on assignment in Washington, DC, Mk fell in love with the city’s cultural milieu and weather. She went to work at the control center of the Potomac Electric Power Company using her knowledge of power systems, grids, and interconnections to buy and sell megawatts of electricity.
Mk began her international career in 1990 with a move to England. She covered the globe advising governments, markets, and industry participants. Mk provided a major bridge between the old state-owned utilities and the newly privatized systems. Her work assignments (ranging from 3 months to 3 years) took her to India, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Bangladesh, Georgia (former Soviet-bloc state), Egypt, and many other locales. Not to be deprived, Mk relished fine food and comfortable accommodations. Mk finished her career at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC, where she spent much time mentoring young electrical engineers.
Retirement took her back to Thailand with several stays in Kyoto, Japan. Mk strongly supported with time and money, the Dulabhatorn Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Upon returning to the US and Charlottesville, Virginia, severe health issues overtook her dynamic spirit. She closed out her days in Easton, MD. She was greatly loved and will be truly missed.
She is survived by her husband Brian (Easton, MD), brothers John Parham [Diane] and James Parham [Mary Kay], (Portland, OR) cousin Linda Shirar [Philip Henry], (Paso, Robles, CA), and nieces Ann Adair Parham (Portland, OR) and Leigh Geschwill [Fred], (Woodburn, OR).
Internment will be at Noon on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Cool Spring Cemetery, Holy Cross Abbey, Berryville, VA.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Christ House, 1717 Columbia Road, Washington, DC 20009
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