Joan Elizabeth (Sandstrom) McKinley

Joan was a loving, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She is survived by her husband, Robert McKinley, and children, Susan, Jennifer, Christina, Sally, Karen, John (Jack), Richard, Elizabeth, and Loraine. She leaves behind a legacy of twenty-seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Joan was born at Orange Hospital in Orange, California, on August 20, 1939, to Jack and Doris (nee Putnam) Sandstrom. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Joyce (Joy) ( nee Sandstrom) Madsen and Lynda Sandstrom. She is survived by her two brothers, Ed Sandstrom and Steve Sandstrom.

Joan grew up in a home her father built in Tustin, California. After graduating from Tustin High School, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. On Friday, July 11, 1958, Joan met the love of her life, Bob McKinley, when they were set up on a blind date arranged by their good friend, Richard Gregg. They went on a triple date to the drive-in movie theater to see the film, The Vikings.

Joan and Bob’s courtship and marriage would last sixty-three years. Because of Joan’s faith, Bob investigated and was converted and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Joan and Bob McKinley were married in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 9, 1961.

Joan and Bob McKinley raised their family first in Tustin, Ventura, and then predominantly in Vista, California, where their children grew up and all graduated from Vista High School and went on to pursue their education. Joan was a faithful and dedicated wife and mother of nine children. She was a woman of devout faith and served in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Joan was a kind and generous person. She made friends quickly and was gifted at making people feel at ease. Her fun-loving spirit made life magical and exciting for her family and friends. Her children remember her for her creativity. She taught them to play imaginative games, such as building fairy gardens and forts. She was great at throwing parties and made birthdays and holidays unique and memorable.

She returned to college after raising her children and received a degree. She studied midwifery, natural medicine, and assisted doctors in dozens of home births. She was an artist and was proud of the opportunity to paint decorative finishes and trompe l’oeil murals in the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joan was a beautiful and kind woman whose impact will forever be felt by her family and friends. She was a selfless woman who loved to serve. All who knew her will remember her kindness and the ability to support others. Joan loved and is loved dearly.

A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on November 7, 2024, at Kailua Ward, Kaneohe, Hawaii Stake 1461 Kanapuu Drive, Kailua, HI 96734