Patricia Ann (Smith) McKinney

Patricia Ann (Smith) McKinney

Patricia “Patty” McKinney of Gig Harbor, Wash., died peacefully on March 11, 2023, at the age of 95.

Patty was born in Portland on July 20, 1927 to the late Stephen and Hutoka Smith.  She graduated from Grant High School and Oregon State College (University) where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Junior Prom Queen and Homecoming princess.

In 1949 Patty married Robert “Bob” McKinney, also an OSU alum, and they enjoyed 67 years together until her beloved Bob passed away in 2016.  She fondly recalled that Bob “came courting” in a new Chevy he purchased upon discharge from the U.S. Navy.

The McKinney family first resided in Portland, then relocated to Seattle for more than a decade before settling in Longview, Wash. in 1965.  Home base for the next 45 years was on Cascade Way.  Patty and Bob moved to the Canterbury Park retirement community in 2010.  In 2018, Patty packed up and headed north to the Harbor Place senior community in Gig Harbor.  She loved the scenic view from her balcony, the serenity of living next to Puget Sound, and being closer to two sons and their wives.

Patty was a person of many talents and interests.  She was an award-winning quilter, pie baker extraordinaire, a skilled writer, voracious reader, an enthusiastic pianist and flutist, she danced in her younger days, and often played golf and bridge at Longview Country Club.  She especially loved to travel the world with Bob.  The comprehensive travel guides she developed and shared made her a celebrity among local travel agents and vacationers.  Patty took pride in her involvement with the Longview Orthopedic Guild, Chapter BN of PEO, Round Robin Study Group, and as a substitute teacher at Longview public schools.

Family meant more to Patty than anything else.  She rarely missed acknowledging a relative’s birthday or anniversary.  Phone calls, letters and emails focused on the latest developments of family members and friends.  Patty is survived by sons Thomas (Linda) of Fox Island, Wash., and Gregory (Stephanie) of Shelton, Wash.; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and sister Marian Carter (Doug); five nieces and a nephew.  She was preceded in death by her son David (Dana) of Spring, Texas and her sister Virginia Schwiebinger.

Service arrangements were made by Steele Funeral Home.  Inurnment is at Longview Memorial Park where Patty has a vault next to Bob’s.

The family appreciates the kindness and support of Harbor Place and Franciscan Hospice, as well as the expressions of sympathy from those who knew and admired Patty.