Obituary of Grace Allen McKee

Grace Allen McKee, 84, an area resident since 1965, passed away on September 3, 2018, at the Lutheran Care Center from a series of illnesses dominated, in the end, by Alzheimer’s Disease.  Born on September, 30, 1933 in Orange, New Jersey, Grace was the daughter of Ned Heyson Allen and Doris Smith (Wharton) Allen.  

She attended Bernards High School, Bernardsville, NJ, and Orange Memorial Hospital Nursing School.  She worked at New York Hospital and Buffalo General Hospital where she cared for premature babies.  In her later life, she recertified in nursing and worked for Hudson Valley Home Care.  

Grace’s life was notable for her devotion to the care of others.  Working to support the family during her husband’s medical training, she received her P.H.T. degree (Putting Hubby Through) from his medical class.  She raised her sister from the age of nine when their mother passed away.  She cared for individual family members at different times, several Fresh Air Fund children, numerous foster babies, and her twin preemie great nieces.  She was a patient listener and counselor to many friends.  As a homemaker, she loved to bake, sew, quilt, and garden.  She enjoyed skiing, boating, and golfing, and belonged to several book and bridge clubs.  A proficient pianist, she accompanied her sister at NYSSMA solo competitions and taught piano to her grandchildren.  She and her husband shared many traveling adventures across the US and around the world.  The eternal optimist, Grace had a positive attitude about life, and possessed a great determination and indomitable spirit. 

On June 12, 1954, she married her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Dr. Robert McKee, at the Bishop Janes Methodist Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and enjoyed a warm and loving marriage of 64 years.  In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Deborah of Poughkeepsie; her son, Daniel, and his wife, Chanda of Reading, MA; her adopted son, Donald Charles of Las Vegas; her grandchildren, Ryan, Lindsey, Callie, and Kory; her sister, Barbara of Poughkeepsie; a  close family friend, Betsy of Poughkeepsie; nieces Judy, Kim, and Tracy; nephews David and Sam; fifteen great-nieces and –nephews.  She was predeceased by her brothers, Charles and Richard.

Grace was a long-time member of the Fishkill United Methodist Church and, more recently, the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church.  Memorial Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.