Patricia Breece McKinney, 96, passed away December 13, 2020, in Raleigh, NC. She was born September 9, 1924, in Portsmouth, OH, a daughter of the late James Ernest Breece, Sr. and Margaret Stahler Walling.
Patricia attended high school at Stephens College in Columbia, MO, graduating in 1942. She subsequently attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH before leaving in response to the demands of WWII. She still managed to earn her pilot’s license and enjoyed recreational flying.
Following the end of WWII, Patricia married Bernard “Barney” Richard McKinney on November 17, 1945, in Portsmouth. Patricia and Barney were longtime residents of Portsmouth, OH, and New Albany, IN, as well as Sunset Beach, NC. They had been married 74 years at the time of Barney’s death on February 22, 2020.
While in Portsmouth, she was a member of the TWIG Guild of the former Mercy Hospital, an early and active member of the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center and she also attained an accounting degree from Shawnee State University.
Surviving are her sons, Breece (Darlene) Richard McKinney of Winnetka, IL and David Dean (Lynn) McKinney of Raleigh, NC; a brother, John Tingle Breece of Boca Raton, FL; three grandchildren, Stahler (Sarah-Butler) McKinney, Annsley McKinney and Elizabeth McKinney; and a great-grandson, Pierce McKinney.
Patricia was also preceded in death by a brother, James Ernest Breece, Jr.; and a sister, Brenda Breece Wells.
A private inurnment will be held in the St. Thomas Columbarium at All Saints Episcopal Church under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Online condolences may be shared at RalphFScott.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 610-4th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
