Nancy Joan (Lea) McKinley

Predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph McKinley (2009) and her dear friend Bill Csordas (2018). Loving Mom of Joanne (Bob) Molodynia, Mary-Ann McKinley (Jason LeGrand) and Nancy McKinley-Diakiw (former spouse, Peter Diakiw). Cherished Nana of Michelle (Kevin) Chesser, Mykola (Kirsty) Molodynia, Tanner (Mya), Rowan, and Phoenix Diakiw. Proud Great-Nana of Reagan and Kevin Chesser III. Dear sister of Frank (the late Peggy) Lea, Robert (Sandy) Lea, Barb (Brian) Gaston, and Gary (Anita) Lea. Nancy will be lovingly remembered by her extended McKinley family; and her many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by her parents Charles Percival Lea and Viola Gertrude Blythe; her brother Don Lea and her sister in law Janet Ireland.

Having grown up in Niagara, Nancy was a student at Simcoe Street Elementary School and NFCVI Secondary School. She worked for a number of years at the Niagara Falls Evening Review, where she met her husband Joseph as he was a customer and she was the receptionist. She also worked at St. Thomas More Catholic Elementary School, as well as owned and managed Nancy’s Country Kitchen before moving to the Niagara Parks Table Rock Restaurant and the Queenston Heights Restaurant and finally closing out her working life with Marjo Tours. She was a devout parishioner of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. She was a member of the Willoughby Firehall Ladies Auxiliary, the Welland Tennis Club and the Palmetto Palms/Fort Myers Tennis Club where she won a number of awards. Nancy enjoyed being active and partook in a number of activities throughout her life including tennis, bowling, skiing, cycling, ice fishing, dancing, and shuffleboard.

A special thank you to all the nurses, Dr. Rust, Dr. Tougas, and Dr. Willard at Greater Niagara General Hospital for their kindness, honesty and compassion.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 4673 Victoria Ave. Niagara Falls. Reception following the Mass will be held at Heart Niagara, 4635B Queen St. Niagara Falls. Cremation will follow with an interment in Fairview Cemetery in the Summer of 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Heart Niagara would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com