Martha Anne McKinley's Obituary
Martha Anne McKinley, 98, of Bay Village, Ohio, passed away on August 13th, 2024. Born on July 15th, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Helen Augusta (nee Koepp) Braggins and Horace Augustus Braggins. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank J. McKinley.
Martha is survived by her children: Candace Anne (Steve) Thompson, Randall Jay McKinley, and Scott Earl McKinley. Her grandchildren—Amber McKinley, Anand McKinley, Bianca Meyer, and Catherine Anne Thompson—held a special place in her heart. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren Austin and Latika. In addition, Martha is survived by her brothers, Horace A. Braggins and Homer R. Braggins.
A proud graduate of Cleveland State University, Martha earned her Master’s in Education. She dedicated her career to education, working as a librarian for Bay Village City Schools and Avon City Schools until her retirement in 1991.
Martha’s community involvement was extensive. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and leading Girl Scouts. She actively participated in various organizations, including the Bay Village Jr. Women’s Club, the Avon Teachers Association (where she served as president), The North Coast Needlers, AARP Bay Village Chapter, Bay Presbyterian Church, College Club West, and the Bay Village Historical Society.
Her interests spanned quilting, reading, playing golf, and exploring the world through travel.
A celebration of Martha’s life will be held on August 21st, 2024, at 3 pm at Bay Presbyterian Church, 25415 Lake Rd., Bay Village, OH 44140.
I am standing upon the seashore
A ship at my side spreads
Her white sails to the morning
Breeze and starts for the blue
Ocean. She is an object of beauty
and strength and I stand and
Watch her until at length she
Hangs like a speck of white
Cloud just where the sea and
Sky come down to mingle with
Each other. Then someone at
My side says; “There! She’s
Gone.
Gone where? Gone from my
Sight – that is all. She is just
As large in mast and hull and
spar as she was when she left
my side, and just as able to bear
Her load of living freight to the place
Of destination. Her diminished size
Size is in me, not in her; and just
At the moment when some one at
My side says, “There! She’s gone,”
There are other eyes watching her
Coming, and other voice ready to
Take up the glad shout, “There she
Comes!”
What’s your fondest memory of Martha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Martha?
Share a story where Martha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Martha you’ll never forget.
How did Martha make you smile?
