Katharine "Kathy" McKinnon Cornelius

Katharine (Kathy) McKinnon Cornelius passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born in Boston on October 27, 1932. She lived a life of quiet wisdom, an honest spirit, and strong inner discipline.

In 1956, Kathy won the U.S. Women’s Open. She traveled by car with her young family during the early days of the LPGA Tour. She was a women’s golf trailblazer. Yet to those who knew her best, her professional recognition was a backdrop to who she was as a person.

She walked in nature every day. She carried an old pitching wedge and hit golf balls from tree to tree in her neighborhood. With self-discipline and the desire to keep her skills sharp, she practiced her putting daily. Kathy loved her family, books, the outdoors, Mexican food, and Arizona, her home since 1960. She appreciated the art of DeGrazia. She loved watching basketball and cheered hard for her Phoenix Suns. Music was a big part of her life as a teen when she played the clarinet. She even marched with the Lake Worth (FL) HS band in the Orange parade. She especially loved the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole and she fondly remembered seeing Sarah Vaughan perform live in Havana, Cuba. These things made her a deeply interesting person who brought color to those around her.

Kathy was a smart and reserved woman who chose her words wisely. When she spoke, people listened as they knew what she was about to say would be meaningful. She also had a playful sense of humor. For Kathy, love was expressed through simple, beautiful deeds—like the small bowl of freshly cut fruit that reliably awaited her loved ones when they visited.

Kathy spent 65 years alongside husband Bill Cornelius, who preceded her in death. Bill was her greatest supporter. Her pride and legacy live on through her family, including her two daughters, Karen and Kay; her son-in-law, Tom; her three grandchildren, Kelly, Kim, and Kyle; and her three great-grandchildren Liam, Dahlia, and Amy. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was their beloved "Gra." The family extends their gratitude to her caregivers, the hospice team, and nurse Lisa for their tender and compassionate care.

A private memorial service to celebrate Kathy's life will be held on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona.