Mary-Louise McLaws: Disease expert who led Australia through Covid pandemic dies after battle with illness
Mary-Louise McLaws: Disease expert who led Australia through Covid pandemic dies after battle with illness
Mary-Louise McLaws, who devoted her career to preventing disease and guiding Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, has passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with an illness.
Her husband, Richard Flook, announced that she had died on Saturday night at Wolper Hospital in Sydney’s Woollahra, saying: “Our dear Mary-Louise passed away in her sleep”.
Ms. McLaws was a respected professor of epidemiology, who worked for the World Health Organization as a consultant on China, helping with disease control in 10 countries outside Australia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia and China.
On home soil, Ms McLaws has been seen as a trusted adviser to guide Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting border closures and face mask enforcement to slow the spread of the disease.
She had been on leave from her position at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) since January after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Mary-Louise McLaws (pictured), who devoted her career to preventing disease and leading Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, has died aged 70 after battling an illness
Born on 31 March 1953 to Jewish parents, Mrs. McLaws had worked preciously with the Sydney South West Area Health Service as Director of the Public Health Unit.
Under her leadership, the rates of Hepatitis B and C, HIV and swine flu were limited and controlled.
Her latest honor was her appointment as Officer of Australia in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday Honors last July.
Mr Flook confirmed that his late wife was well looked after by the nurses and doctors at Wolper Hospital ‘and had enjoyed the visits of her many friends who were so supportive of her and our family’.
“We’re planning her funeral service at Emmanuel Synagogue in the next few days.”
More to come.