Yvonne L. Magli

MADISON - Professor Emerita, Yvonne L. Magli, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016, after a long illness. Yvonne had a long and productive career as an academic staff member at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. She joined Ophthalmology, then a Division of the Surgery Department in 1960 and, using her innate artistic talent, quickly mastered the then new techniques of binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and stereoscopic retinal photography. She used these methods to document the severity and course of diabetic retinopathy in research studies conducted by faculty ophthalmologists and was a coauthor of scientific papers and exhibits reporting their results. Based largely on the results of these studies, in 1970 the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health chose the UW Ophthalmology Department to play a leading role in its first nation-wide multi-center randomized clinical trial, the Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Yvonne's expertise was essential in the development of a central unit for evaluation of retinal photographs taken of patients participating in the trial at its clinical centers. She was in charge of hiring and training additional academic staff members in the evaluation of the photographs and organized quality control programs for these evaluations. This unit, the UW Fundus Photograph Reading Center, went on to participate in many subsequent clinical trials in which Yvonne continued to play a leading role until her retirement at which time she was awarded Emeritus status for her distinguished service to the University, and also is listed in Who's Who in America. She leaves behind a sister, Patti (Jim) Brickson of Madison; two special nephews, David (Lisa) Brickson of Chicago and Stephan Brickson of Sheboygan; a sister, Anne Magli Webber; two brothers, Boyce (Cheryl) Magli and Tommy Magli, all from Franklin, Tenn.; and a very special cousin, Betty (Bill) Rose from California. Yvonne was charming, witty, an equestrian, a talented portrait artist, somewhat naughty, and generous to a fault. Heartfelt appreciation to Comfort Keepers for their 24/7 live in care, and Heartland Hospice for their diligence. They are caring, compassionate and always professional. There are no words to thank you enough. She requested no funeral. There will be a private family celebration this summer. Donations may be made to Angel's Wish, an animal rescue organization in care of Lois Lawrence, founder, at 161 Horizon Dr., Verona, WI. 53593. Thanks to Dr. Matthew (Dinny) Davis and Mike Neider for their contributions to this obituary. Happy trails dear sister and friend. See you down the Santa Fe Trail. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420