Dr. Vicky Finnerty, daughter of Italian immigrants, was the first member of her family to attend college.
In 1990, she experienced another achievement: She was named the first tenured female professor in Emory's University's biology department.
In subsequent years, Emory grew from a solid regional school to a major research institution and she's considered a pioneer in its transformation, said Dr. Steven L'Hernault, who chairs the school's biology department.
"She played an inordinate role in the diversity of the university," he said. "She was one of the leaders in making that major transition and played a leadership role at a critical time in the maturation of this department, and of a school that went from being well thought of to a major force in American higher education."
Dr. Victoria Finnerty had resided in Tucker until September when poor health forced her to move near her son in Illinois. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer several years ago, and on Feb. 11 died from complications of the disease at her condo in Winnetka, Ill. She was 72.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Emory's Cannon Chapel. Donnellan Family Funeral Services of Skokie, Ill., handled arrangements.
Dr. Finnerty was raised in Connecticut, the only child of Phillip and Victoria Gonnella. Her father, a World War I veteran, died when she was quite young. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from St. Johns University, then completed a doctorate in genetics at the University of Connecticut.
In 1976, she first joined the Emory University staff as an assistant professor of biology. Her 35-year research career in genetics included a keen interest in Down syndrome, cancer and malaria. In later years, she studied the eye color mutants of the fruit fly and its role in metabolism and gene action.
"Her becoming a tenure professor is the pinnacle of academic progress," said Dr. Gregg Orloff, a senior lecturer in biology at Emory. "It's a big deal. She changed things for subsequent people and had to come through that good ole boy system, which was hard. She was a mother, friend and colleague to me. A remarkable individual."
This geneticist was a down-to-earth person who was free of airs and shunned the stuffiness sometimes associated with academicians. Her focus was biology and research.
"She worked very hard and felt like she had to work harder because she was a woman, and there weren't many in that field," said her son, Mike Finnerty of Winnetka, Ill. "I think what she liked most was that Emory drew ever-brighter students."
Dr. Finnerty was an active faculty member until the end of last year and was to retire this September. The last few months of her life were spent in and out of the hospital. A full-time nurse lived with her in Illinois.
Her husband, Dr. Michael Finnerty died in 1995.
"She was a terrific lady," her son said.
Additional survivors include two grandchildren.
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