MARY KATHLEEN “KATHIE” McKINLEY

April 11, 1949 ~ July 27, 2018

With deep sadness Warren McKinley announces that his dear wife Kathie, of 48 years, passed away peacefully in his presence on the morning of July 27, 2018 at the St. Joseph’s Carmel Hospice in Riverside. Kathie also leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lisa McKinley Surber of Newell, South Dakota; two grandchildren, Corbin of Bozeman, Montana and Cameron of Belgrade; one brother, Tim (Kathy) Sharp of Edmonton; five sisters, Mary (Ray) May of Edmonton, Ann Sharp of Calgary, Brenda (Robert) Deleau of Parksville, BC, Cecelia “Cathy” Sharp of Calgary and Janine Coté of Parksville, BC; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Kathie was predeceased by her parents, James “Jim” and Eileen Sharp; two brothers-in-law, Dick McKinley and Larry Coté; and her father and mother-in-law, Guy & Muriel McKinley. Kathie was brought into retail by her father, Jim Sharp, the proprietor of Hutchings and Sharp Western Store, at a very young age. Hutchings and Sharp had deep roots with the ranching community in Western Canada and served as an anchor of the downtown community of Medicine Hat. After school, she would join her father in the store to work and, early on, enjoyed spending time with Jim’s partner, Harry Hutchings, from whom she learned a great deal. As her business knowledge and interest blossomed, she assumed increasing responsibilities with the store and took over all aspects of management well before her father’s passing. Kathie was particularly fond of choosing styles for the upcoming season on buying trips, creating unique and innovative forms of advertising, and dressing the store front windows. She had an eye for fashion and was well known for helping people look their best for any occasion. Kathie mentored and developed fond friendships with many employees over the years. She was a committed supporter of the downtown business community serving many years on the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone where she was instrumental in bringing the Heritage Canada Main Street Program to Medicine Hat. All who knew Kathie recognized that she took great pride in owning and operating Hutchings and Sharp.

After a brief time attending college business classes, Kathie married Warren McKinley in 1970 and stepped into the role of a ranch wife and all it entailed, supporting Warren and his father, Guy with McKinley Hereford Farms. Kathie shared her life lovingly with Warren for over 48 years. Much like the other aspects of her life, Kathie embraced ranch life with zest and developed a passion for it. Her duties were never ending; from helping to save calves in the spring, to moving and trailing cattle, and preparing ranch meals. She did all this while working and managing the store and raising their daughter, Lisa. Annual branding meals were anticipated and revered by many. Kathie was never satisfied unless the meal was perfect; loving to put on a spread, achieving a perfectly cooked roast beef while finding the right tablecloth and the perfect prairie flowers to match. One of her passions was cooking and no one left hungry from her dinner table and if they did it was their own damn fault. Manx cats and border collies were beneficiaries of her caring and kind hearted nature. Over the years, as Lisa became more active in 4-H, riding and horses, Kathie and Warren took great pride in seeing Lisa achieve horseback successes. She was extremely supportive and encouraging of Lisa’s endeavors and was particularly proud of Lisa’s academic achievements and career path in the Agricultural industry. An additional role that Kathie took pride in playing was Grandma to her grandsons, Corbin and Cameron. She deeply loved her grandsons and nothing gave her more pleasure than seeing those boys doing ranch activities or riding with Warren. She was notorious for spoiling them on birthdays and Christmas. A Celebration of Kathie’s Life will be held at the MEDICINE HAT EXHIBITION AND STAMPEDE GROUNDS, GRANDSTAND BANQUET ROOM, 2055 – 21st Avenue SE, on Friday, August 10th, 2018 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. As an expression of sympathy those wishing to remember Kathie may do so with a gift to the Carmel Hospice (St. Joseph’s Home), 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1 or to the Medicine Hat Community Foundation, 104, 430 – 6th Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Kathie McKinley. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

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