Lucy K. McKinley, 80, of North Beaver Twp. passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital following a brief illness.
Born February 1, 1933 in New Galilee, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Helen Sheerer Kennedy. She was married for 59 years to Robert “Bob” L. McKinley as they were married July 25, 1953. He survives.
Lucy graduated from Mt Jackson HIgh School and the New Castle Business College. She retired in April, 1999 following 20 years as a secretary for Pennsylvania Job Services. She had previously worked at the Lawrence County Courthouse and Universal Rundle Co. She was an active member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church and was a former member of the Moravia Presbyterian Church. Lucy was a member and past worthy matron of the Wenonah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed traveling. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Bob, survivors include three daughters, Lisa (Ron) Ross of Hubbard, Ohio, Braunda (David) Allegro of West Pittsburgh, Robin (Dennis) Singer of North Beaver Twp.; son, Robert C. “Grant” (Kerri) McKinley of North Beaver Twp.; and seven grandchildren, Matthew (Emily) St. John, Raesha St. John, Shauna and Kelsey Singer, Rawnie Ross, and Hannah and Mason McKinley.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne E. Kennedy and a grandson, Adam St. John.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Westfield Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 11:00 am. Family and friends will be received for one hour before the service. Rev. Paul Votaw, her pastor with officiate.
Private graveside services were held at Bethel Church Cemetery in Enon Valley.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Westfield Youth Organization, 1363 Mt. Jackson Rd. New Castle, PA 16102.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
I am Lucy’s cousin-by-marriage to her husband Bob McKinley, my is my cousin; I only met her one year, at a cousin gathering in 2000 – I did not know I had so many cousins.
I was saddened to hear that she had passed. It is a reminder of how frail we are as human beings and how short out time on this earth is granted us. It sounds like Lucy spent her time well and left many loved ones to remember her.
As cousins, we spent a few days together at that time in 2000 visiting old sites and talking about our Benson grandparents, who had been dairy farmers in New Castle, which was all news to me, as my father, Ben Benson, who was Bob’s uncle – Bob’s mother having been Ben’s sister Alma who was married to Lee McKinley – (Ben) left home a young man, only to return once, in 1936, for a family reunion.
I have done a lot of genealogy on the Benson family and am willing to share what I found and then put into story form, with the help of one of our cousins, Marge Benson. There are many photographs of the farm and the family and if any of Lucy’s family is interested, then need only let me know.
Some of the old photos can be found on-line at my Facebook site: Linda Benson Cox
With my deepest sympathy,
Linda
Linda (Joyce Benson) Cox
1204 Big Rock Loop
Los Alamos, NM 87544