Thursday, May 20, 2010

Death of a Pioneer - RIP Rita Mulcahy

I just got the sad news.  Rita Mulcahy, pioneer of the industry and the best selling project manager of all time passed away.  Here is the announcement:

Rita Mulcahy, Founder of RMC Project Management and the best-selling project management author of all-time, passed away on Saturday, May 15th 2010, from complications related to a five-year battle with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). She was 50. Rita leaves behind husband Tim Mulcahy, current Vice-President and Chief Legal Counsel for RMC, and two children, ages 7 and 5.



Rita was diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer in September of 2005, just days before two scheduled speaking appearances at PMI Global Congress in Toronto, Ontario. Given only months to live, Rita spent the next five years privately fighting her disease with a continuous regimen of both Western and Holistic treatments. During that time she continued to work, authoring five more best-selling books—including one with Fortune 100 leader Cisco Press—and delivering classes and keynote speeches across the globe. She also spent a great deal of time growing her business, and over the last five years watched RMC expand its training and product distribution to nearly 50 regions worldwide.

After her diagnosis, Rita worked feverishly to build RMC into one of the fastest-growing training organizations in the industry. Today, her thriving company is filled with some of the most sought-after experts in the fields of instructional design and delivery, learning development, and educational technology. Going forward, the Management Team at RMC will continue to leverage Rita's marketing-leading methodologies and learning techniques to develop more award-winning products, classes and e-learning courses in Project Management and numerous other related disciplines.

Even though Rita is no longer with us on a day-to-day basis, her unique and highly effective teaching style will live on through the hundreds of thousands of products and courses RMC delivers worldwide each year. In 2010, the Project Management industry lost its most passionate leader, advocate and friend. We will feel her loss every single day.

If you have questions regarding this release, we ask that you please direct all inquiries to Eric Rudolf, Director of Marketing at eric@rmcproject.com, or via phone at (952) 846-4484 420. Thank you.

Like many of you, I was certified through Rita's breakthrough learning system for the PMP.  There are others that do it now and many more options available.  However, she was truly the pioneer.  I got to talk with her a couple times and I have been blessed to have my third book picked up by the company she helped create.  She was a fascinating woman who really loved what she did.  She is an inspiration to us all.  RIP Rita, from the thousands of people you helped worldwide.
 
Rick

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

May her soul rest in perfect peace, amen!!!

Anonymous said...

Desde México, decimos adiós a Rita Mulcahy...

Trish Sutter, PMP said...

Wow! Rick you are so right. She was a pioneer. I feel very luck I was trained by Rita, and had the opportunity to know her and contribute to her work.

Well, I have pictures of us hiking in AZ foothills in 2003/4/5 that I'll have to share somewhere...

Anonymous said...

Blessings to her family . We were all so lucky to have such a pioneer!

Unknown said...

She really helped us all into this certification. May her family accept our sympathy and we hope the best for her in another life.

Anonymous said...

She's leaves a large void in the PM world, not to mention the huge void in her family's life, undoubtedly. Best thoughts and prayers to her surviving family and friends.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry to hear this. She was an outstanding proponent of project management best practices and an extraordinary instructor. Her passing is a great loss to the PM community worldwide. Her legacy will live on forever through her books, I am one of the thousands who benefited from her PMP exam prep courses and books, what a sad ending to an outstanding life.

Sudhir

Anonymous said...

I too passed the PMP after going through her guide. She was a great teacher even though she was sick she was spending her own time to teach others.

I fully respect her alot, for her enormous service she did worldwide.

May you RIP.

Anonymous said...

Very sad. May her soul rest in eternal peace and God give the strength to her husband and little children to bear this loss.

Anonymous said...

I know I would not have been able to pass the PMP without Rita's training! A wonderful woman!

Anonymous said...

I am currently working through Rita's PMP Prep book, and her dedication and passion for the project management profession is evident on every page. She will be missed as a guiding light in project management and a role model for us all.

Unknown said...

I just read about this in the PMI monthly magazine. RIP Rita and thank you for all you have done for me personally and for our profession!

Anonymous said...

I just passed the PMP exam a few days ago....and am indebted to Rita in helping me pass...I just found out about her untimely passing a few minutes ago...50 years old is way too young...my prayers are with her family, especially her husband and 2 young kids....

Anonymous said...

Very sad to hear this news...Rita- you were a true visionary and leader. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I feel very sad to hear the news.....

I passed my PMP in May 5th. Her meterial was very very usefull for my preparation.

May her soul rest in peace....

-Yogesh

Anonymous said...

May Rita's soul rest in peace. I am currently using her work to prepare for PMP exam.

--Ugo

Anonymous said...

I could not have passed the PMP without her exam prep guide. Strangely enough I started studying for the PMP, and purchased her book, around the time of her death.

Her writing and materials were passionate; I felt as if I was her personal student in project management, and I hope that I made her proud that I passed on the first try with her help!

RIP in Rita Mulcahy

Anonymous said...

I read her books to pass the PMP exam. I am feeling very sad about all this.

Anonymous said...

I am extremely indebted to her for she created a bible to learn and pass the dreaded PMP. Gods bless you, wherever you are. It's a great loss!

Anonymous said...

I heard it today and I am really shocked that Rita, a pioneer in Project Management is now not with us, but will remain in our hearts, forever.

RIP Rita.God bless strength to her family for her early loss. Amen!!!

Anonymous said...

I am studying for my PMP exams and and saddened to hear of this irrepairable loss to the Cadre. I did not know her personally but through her book, she spoke to all of us in a very friendly way. This is a terrible loss and i hope and pray to Allah AlMighty to give her family patience and strength to bear her loss. Ameen. May her soul rest in peace. Ameen.
Khanee, London

Anonymous said...

its tragic to know, May her soul be in peace

yesterday only i have completed her book and i am really thankful to her for writing such a practical and important book. Thanks a lot MAM

Anonymous said...

My PMP is dedicated to this Great Woman, along with my Husband & family.
Her book PMP Exam Prep is like the Bible for anyone taking up the exam. For me,it was like she was always by my side, guiding me through her book. She did me wonders I will cherish all my life. Hope I had a chance to meet her to Thank her personally...

Thank you a Million for the PMP I am today and for making a wonderful contribution to the world through your work.

You will always be my mentor all through my career!!

My love to her two little ones!!

- Kavitha.

Anonymous said...

Rita's PMP prep book was the only book I read for my PMP exam 5 years ago.

I feel very sad to find out that Rita has passed away. I was about to search for her book on google when I came across that information ....a year later.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

VeraB said...

She was truly a trail-blazer and her passing underscores more heavily the need for a cure for breast cancer. Too many women are lost while in their prime. RIP, Rita - and thanks for helping so many get PMP'd.

Vera E. Braswell, MPM, PMP

SteveA said...

I didn't know about this until I read it here. What a loss for the PM community. Like so many others, I credit her materials for helping me pass the PMP exam. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak at a Global Congress and even more fortunate to meet her and thank her personally. She will be greatly missed.

Peace to her and continued strength to her family.

Anonymous said...

rest in peace, she left a legacy

Siva Chandran said...

I earned the pmp on my first attempt yesterday with the great help of Rita's examprep book. Thank you, Rita. I pray that you rest in peace.

Sajjad said...

Thank you rita

Anonymous said...

I was not aware until a PMP collegue gave me the news. I am always impressed when a young person as she dies for that horrible sickness named cancer. I think her company will not be the same without her although they continue in business. I do not know if she participated on the RMP book, but I felt it is different. Rest in peace Rita.

halovivek said...

May God rest her soul in peace.
Felt really bad.
Good and dedicated one is not living in this world for long :(

Anonymous said...

May your soul rest in peace, thank you Rita.

INDEEVAR BHATT said...

I prepared for the pmp with the help of Rita's examprep book only.(result awaited) Thank you, Rita.
May your soul rest in peace.

INDEEVAR BHATT said...

I prepared the pmp with the help of Rita's examprep book only.(Result awaited) Thank you, Rita. I pray may your soul rest in peace.

INDEEVAR BHATT said...

I earned the pmp on my first attempt on 17.12.2011 with the help of Rita's examprep book only. Thank you,once again Rita. I pray that your soul rest in peace.

Santosh said...

I feel very sad to hear this news.

Anonymous said...

The Rita legacy should continue . It is hard to come to terms with the great loss.People such as Rita a rare creations of God the Almighty.Hope her team will continue to do the great work.

Anonymous said...

I passed my PMP exam on 1st March 2012, till today I did not know that she had passed away.

I read only her book and of course the PMbok. I used to imagine that I was sitting in her class and
listening to her lecture while I read her book.

I wanted to email her and thank her personally for helping me achieve this title that had changed my life.
When I found out from this forum that she is no longer among us. I felt a lot of sorrow and grief.

Thank you Madam Rita, May your soul rest in peace.

Faisal Safdar, PMP

Anonymous said...

Just 2 hours ago I bought Prep Book 7th edition and came to know from Introduction page that she is no more with us. I felt sorry.

I always use to hear about her and about her book from my colleagues.

Rita have done a excellent in the field of PM

RIP Rita

Kamlesh

Anonymous said...

May she rest in peace! I owe her a lot in terms of her book! She was really knowledgeable person!!!!

Unknown said...

Really sad to know that Rita has passed away. Hundreds or possibly thousands of PMs world over owe their certification to her.

Mayank Garg said...

I am really sad to know that Rita is no more with us.I would have never cleared my certification if Rita guide was not there.Salute to you...

Unknown said...

I just heard about this today...I pray that may her soul rest in perfect peace.God bless the husband and children in Jesus name!

Unknown said...

I am really sad to know that Rita is no more with us and you have been alive in each and every page of your book

Jean-Claude said...

I Passed my PMP July 1st 2013 with Rita's prep book as my main reference, in addition to fasTrack tool, on my first attempt. When I read these lines I'm also sad and grateful for her wonderful work to share her experience and knowledge for this exam preparation. her spirit is still wit us ... and this will last a long time. May you Rest in peace Rita, and your family can be proud of you for all the work you achieved to help so many people ...

Adie said...

RIP

Unknown said...

It leaves me with so much heartbreak to read the demise of a brilliant mind, en enigma and innovator. To think i was reading her book without the knowledge of her demise.
Rest in Peace Rita.
May your legacy continue to bring and spring forth intellectual revolutions in our generations

Anonymous said...

Wow what an extraordinary woman! Amazing she was able to publish books while battling cancer. Thoughts are with her family. I love her books and I have kept them as a reference while progressing my career as a PM.

Anonymous said...

I leaves me in great shock to hear that Rita has passed away.

May God be with her family, kids and the company she founded.

As I embark on this PMP certification journey, I offer my prayers for her soul to be rested.

I'm going to use the 8th edition of the book. May you be the guiding force taking us and the PM community to reach its greatest heights further.

- Senthil

Ansar said...

I first knew of Rita Mulcahy from a friend who lent me his book Risk Management by Rita while studying for my Risk exam. I immediately felt an affinity and I have since decided to pursue risk management as my calling. I am indeed sad to only today know of the passing of this brilliant author since 2010.

Anonymous said...

I am the one who has passed PMP only with her inputs in PMP book that she has been publishing.

It appears the book is talking to you.

I feel deeply sad on this development.
I wish and bless well for her family.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

I Still Dont Feel She is Dead Kill this Site....I am Keeping Her Book.

Anonymous said...

I read with sadness about Rita's battle with IBC (inflammatory breast cancer) and leaving behind a lovely little family.

My dear sister Kathy had the same type of BC and died in 2000. There are many different types of BC, and this seems to be the one that is almost a death sentence.

To her family - in addition to being a wife and mother, she helped a tremendous amount of people improve their lives by her books and leadership. I hope her family can take comfort in the fact that she is not forgotten and lives on in this way.

Unknown said...

De los impuestos y de la calaca, nadie escapa.

Unknown said...

Добрый день!

Для подготовки к сертификационному экзамену PMP (PMI)
Предлагаю комплект ключевых материалов:
• Перевод на русский язык книги Rita Mulcahy PMP Prep 6th edition все 14 глав.
• Модель всех процессов, описанных в PMBOK 5 (взаимосвязь, входы, выходы, активности), которую можно распечатать на плакате формата А0
• Материал по эффективной подготовке к сертификационному экзамену PMP с тестами по каждой области знаний, всего около 500 страниц
• Шаблоны всех документов в строгом соответствии с рекомендации PMBOK 5
Дополнительно предлагаю:
Книга PMBOK 5 (PMI) это официальное руководство на русском языке от PMI отпечатанное в издательстве, последняя версия на 616 страниц, в ограниченном кол-ве. Доставка по Москве 1-3 дня.

Прошу обращаться на почту: dabramov85@mail.ru

С уважением,
Дмитрий Абрамов

Unknown said...

Very hopefully article. It´s very sad for me to know this notice.

A warm hug to her family.

Best regards !!!

Anonymous said...

RIP . you were the best. You will forever live thru your works. Sympathies to your family.

Anonymous said...

May her soul rest in peace. Thanks for the material which is helping me to learn about PMP.

Anonymous said...

I met her at a PMI conference before she was diagnosed. She was a bright, warm person to be around, with a tremendous sense of humor. The world is poorer for her absence.

Aymen SMARI said...

Rest in Peace Rita :)

Dee said...

I just stumbled upon the news of Rita's death whilst digging out her URL to provide to a colleague. I received my PMP certification, using her self-study course, back in 2007. My leader at the time recommended it to me, and I have recommended it to countless others since. I'm so joyous that her legacy lives on.

Anonymous said...

I passed the PMP in 2002, largely thru her book. I got to meet her a couple of times when she showed up at local PMI dinners as speaker. Not only was she a great teacher, she was a warm very alive person, just fun to be around and talk with. But it wasn't just her book that was deeply instructive, her live presentations were even better. It wasn't just that you learned enough to pass, you came away understanding what you were trying to accomplish, and why. Hopefully her husband and children someday find this, and the knowledge of how widely she was admired eases some pain.