Mary O. Kinch Music Prizes

The Mary O. Kinch Music Prizes are awarded to Music students at the University of Prince Edward Island on the basis of the previous year's performance. The award recognizes excellence in music studies and is administered through recommendation by the Department of Music. The prize honors Mary Olive Kinch, whose son Justin A. (Mickey) McKean established this endowment in her memory. Mary O. Kinch was born in Kildare, PEI, and her deep Island roots connected her to four generations of Irish farming families on Prince Edward Island. After moving to the Boston area and later being widowed in 1939, she worked as a housekeeper and received a significant bequest of $50,000 from her employer. Her son invested these funds and donated them to UPEI to create scholarships for music students in his mother's name, ensuring a lasting impact on music education at the university.