On Thursday, December 6, 2018, Ann Marie McKinney, amazing mother, nana, sister, and friend, lost her battle with cancer and passed away surrounded by family at age 71. Ann was born August 29, 1947 in Mansfield, Ohio to Alfred and Margarite (Paone) Cramer. She graduated from Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio in 1965. Ann moved to Rockford, IL to marry the love of her life, Geoffrey E. McKinney, on April 29, 1972. Together, they raised a son and daughter, Chris and Theresa. Ann was also proud member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church for over 40 years. Ann had a passion for her family, her church and helping others. Words commonly used to describe Ann: loving, caring, sweet, helpful, faithful, virtuous and kind. If the world was filled with people like Ann, this world would be a perfect place.
Ann enjoyed being part of the renowned “Church Girls” group, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading, going to the movies, playing bingo, and visiting her family in Ohio.
She also loved watching old TV shows and game shows late into the night. Ann’s social calendar was packed and she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Ann is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Geoff, and both parents. Ann is survived by her two children: Chris McKinney and Theresa McKinney (Corey Williams); 3 Grandchildren: Sydne (Vyper) Unnerstall, Michael McKinney and Hunter Williams; 2 Great Grandchildren: Lillyanna and Tyberius Unnerstall; 3 brothers: Fred (Jeannie) Cramer, Gene (Karen) Cramer and Michael (Linda) Cramer; 1 Sister: Jane (Dan) Unger and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to give a special thank you to Jane Unger, Jane Williams and the “Church Girls”. “Jane from Ohio” left her family for an indefinite amount of time to care for her sister and stay by her side, 24 hours a day, and never complained once. “Jane W” treated Ann like family, checked on Ann ever since her 1st diagnosis and stayed with Ann until the very end. The “Church Girls” helped Ann to many doctors’ appointments and brought her so much joy and friendship. We are more appreciative than we can put into words and forever grateful.The family would like to thank some people that made an amazing impact on Ann’s quality of life since her cancer diagnosis in 2014: Dr. Korkmaz and all the nurses at OSF St. Anthony Cancer Center for their amazing care and OSF Hospice for taking such excellent care of Ann during her last few weeks of life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Friday, December 14, 2018 at St. Rita's Catholic Church 6254 Valley Knoll Dr. in Rockford; visitation for Ann will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Friday at the church. Entombment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
