Joan Rudolf McKinney
1934 - 2024

Joan McKinney passed away peacefully in Thornbury on October 12th, 2024. Born in 1934, Joan was the eldest daughter of Robert Gray Rudolf and Anna Verna Wiseman. She grew up in Toronto, alongside her sister Margo and brother Robert, enjoying the outdoors and summers in Muskoka on Turtle Island and Riverdale Island.

Joan attended Havergal College and later pursued her studies at the University of Western Ontario, where she met and fell in love with James McKinney. They married on June 22, 1957, and were blessed with four daughters: Nadine Gilchrist (Jeff), Heather Flynn (John), Christine Pfeiffer (Henry), and Suzanne Scott (Bradley). Joan was a proud and loving grandmother to her ten grandchildren: Brian (Stacey), Kyle, Craig, Jeremy, Jamie, Alexandra, Caitlin, Bryce, Amelia, and Henry.

Joan was known for her warmth, her gracious hosting, and her dedication to volunteering. Though she and Jim traveled extensively, her favorite place remained the dock in Muskoka, surrounded by her family and friends. She had an infectious smile and a grace that touched all who knew her, leaving a lasting impression on the lives she touched. Her presence will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, ON, on Sunday, December 8th, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.