July 30, 1999

Barbara "Bunny" Nessel of Palm Beach, Fla., a longtime friend and supporter of the MGH, died July 27 at her home in Boston after a nine-year battle with breast and liver cancer.

She and her husband Melvin have been closely associated with the MGH for more than 30 years. Their numerous contributions to the hospital include an extraordinarily generous $10 million commitment in 1997 to the MGH's cancer services. In recognition, the MGH named its inpatient and outpatient cancer program, The Barbara and Melvin Nessel Cancer Services.

During their years in Boston, and even after the couple made a second home in Palm Beach, the Nessels claimed the MGH as their hospital. Bunny Nessel's cancer team included internist James J. Dineen, MD, and oncologist Donald S. Kaufman, MD, and in Palm Beach, oncologist Neal Rothschild, MD, and internist Bruce Moskowitz, MD, of the Partners-affiliated University Clinical Associates.

"Over the years, Bunny Nessel has been one of the hospital's dearest friends and supporters," says James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH. "Through her generosity and kindness, she leaves us with an outstanding legacy to help cancer patients and others for years to come."

Adds Samuel O. Thier, MD, president and CEO of Partners HealthCare, "Bunny's courage was an inspiration for cancer patients everywhere. Her warmth and kindness will be missed." Bunny Nessel is survived by her husband, son and daughter-in-law John and Mary Nessel and two grandsons, Alex and Aaron Nessel.