Obituary of Joyce McKinney

Joyce McKinney, 77, of Manahawkin, NJ passed away March 21 with her family by her side. The first of eight children of the late Mildred (Pancoast) and William Auty, Joyce was born in Philadelphia. She attended Delhaas High School in Bristol, PA, and lived in the Manahawkin, NJ, area for the past 36 years. A clever, artistic, generous, funny prankster with a warm and friendly smile, Joyce’s tongue-in-cheek humor kept everyone on their toes. She enjoyed cross-stitch, ceramics, puzzles, and animals including many pets throughout her lifetime and, most recently, her pet turtle, Mertle. But her greatest joy was her family. Joyce was a dedicated sister, wife, mother, grandmother (Memom) and great-grandmother. As a sister, she was the first friend and second mother to her seven siblings, having taken over the role of matriarch when her mother passed 25 years ago. As a wife, she showed everyone that a happy marriage can last a lifetime, having been married to her beloved “Reds” (George McKinney) for 57 years prior to his passing in 2018. She was the devoted mother of five, an adoring grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of seven children. Her life’s journey also crossed paths with children of friends and extended family for whom she cared, supported, and shared, especially her “adopted” son Danny Hocker. Joyce will be greeted in heaven by her husband George, her parents Mildred and William, her brothers William and Edward, and her sister Joanne. No doubt she will quickly remind them who is the true ruler of the roost! Her siblings will be lost without our loyal leader. And we wonder who will be brave enough to try to fill the shoes of the greatest German potato salad maker on the planet. Her children are at peace knowing their mom is now with their dad once again. But they, too, will always be lost without her. Joyce is survived by her children Peggy (Pam) McKinney, Sherri and her husband Ed Szafranski, Connie and her husband Bill Skinner, Jennifer McKinney, George McKinney Jr and his wife Megan, six amazing grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by four very appreciative siblings and their spouses: Robert (Bobby) Auty and his wife Linda Cristine of Charlotte, NC, Jane and Rob Kirkland of Downingtown, PA, Midge and Steve Klotz of Langhorne, PA, and Peggy and John Jackson of Levittown, PA, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Interment service Friday April 23 11:30 am Washington Crossing National Cemetery 830 Highland Road Newtown PA 18940