Iris Viola “Lil” McKinley (nee Danielson) passed away suddenly at Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops, BC, on August 29, 2013. She was 85 years of age. Born to parents Daniel and Amelia Danielson on November 1, 1927 in Kenora, Ontario, Lil married her life partner, Gerald Gregory Andrew “Jerry” McKinley in Beardmore, Ontario on August 23, 1947. For the next 66 years, Lil and Jerry traveled through life together, raising a family and working side by side. They moved to BC in 1949. Among other things, Lil performed the office and bookkeeping work for Jerry’s Revelstoke Esso Station for many years. They moved to Clearwater in 1969. When Jerry was travelling throughout British Columbia seal coating the roads, Lil was driving the fifth wheel right behind him; Lil and Jerry spent a lot of time together, camping in that fifth wheel, parked in gravel pits! Jerry will miss having Lil by his side.
Lil was a mother to three children, and they will mourn her passing: Doreen (Lloyd) Romeo of Clearwater, BC; Iris (Art) Houchen of Kelowna, BC; and Danny McKinley of Kamloops. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, her sister Doris Sayce of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Larry McKinley of Prince George, plus many other family members and friends from throughout the years.
Lil loved dancing, fishing, knitting and camping. She loved taking trips down south; these started in 1974 when they semi-retired. Lil loved being with her family. She was also proud to be a member of the Kinsmen club in Revelstoke.
The McKinley River Campground in Blackpool, BC, has been an important family gathering place for many decades, and that is where friends and family will come together on May 18, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate Lil’s life. Donations would be appreciated in memory of Iris McKinley to the Canadian Cancer Society of BC & Yukon Division, 565 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4J4. Condolences may be expressed on-line by visiting www.norththompsonfuneral.com. Arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, Clearwater, BC, 250-674-3030.
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