ROCKLAND — Emily Wright Mecklenburg, 40, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2023 after a boating accident.

Emily grew up sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River with her family. Away from the waterways of Maryland and the lakes of Minnesota, she took up cycling in Iowa. She loved her yearly pilgrimage to RAGBRAI, an epic bicycle race across Iowa. Her move to Maine brought her back to the sea and sailing. When not sailing on a broad reach, she could be found cycling, surfing, or hiking. She loved to paint, read graphic novels, watch Mystery Science Theatre 3000, and be with her two beloved cats, Bart and Pasty.

She had as many friends as a square-rigged ship has sails. Her friends traveled with her all over the globe. Yielding to wanderlust, she would ply her skills as a photographer, learn a new language, go SCUBA diving, take cooking classes in regional cuisine, or hang out with the locals. Emily never hesitated to roll up her sleeves to help on any project. She was beloved by her friends, her colleagues, and her community.

Born June 2, 1983 in Washington D.C, Emily grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland and the suburbs of the Twin Cities. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and from the University of Iowa Medical School as a Doctor of Medicine in 2013. She came to Maine for her residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland. She moved to Rockland to begin her practice as a healer. She worked at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockland and Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, and Maine Medical Center in Portland. Emily was a well respected physician who treated patients with empathy and kindness. She would pitch in to help colleagues with difficult
tasks, especially during the extreme challenges of practicing medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emily is survived by her immediate family: parents Peter Mecklenburg and Kris Wright and brother Matthew Mecklenburg, and her beloved extended family. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the sailing community to which she so was closely tied.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Maine in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Rockland Harbor YMCA Childcare.

To share a memory or condolence with Emily’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.