Mary Angela McKinney passed away at home on Saturday August 8, 2026, with her family at her side.

Mary was born February 11, 1937, in the Quad Cities to Alfred and Angela Rashid. Her early days were spent in an idyllic setting, a Tudor house on an acreage on the outskirts of town, complete with rolling hills, a concrete wading pool and everything a child’s mind needed to spur their creativity and wonderment. She lived there with her parents, sister Sandra (Larsh), brother Al, cousins Sydney, Billy, Uncle Bus, and Aunt Roma Rashid.

Mary attended parochial school in the quad cities before entering college at Saint Mary’s of the Woods College in Indiana to train for and explore a career in the entertainment industry. That went on for a couple of years during which time she enjoyed being on stage and working on TV productions. Her greatest role, however, was to be on a different stage just a few years later.

Mary moved to Ames, Iowa after marrying John McKinney, whom she met on a blind date in Davenport, Iowa. They wed in 1958 and stayed that way for 60 ½ years, during which they raised their family of four children, John II, Kevin, Michele (Wright) and Craig.

Turns out motherhood was the stage on which Mary would shine most brightly. She brought to bear all the wonderful memories and lessons from her childhood and her extended Lebanese family and recreated that world for her children and all their friends. Her focus was on tradition, and the values, and comfort of being close to your family.

She had an innate ability to understand and comfort children. To take a sincere interest in their lives, to console, encourage, counsel, and set boundaries gently, but firmly. Always with kindness, patience and love. Unless you pushed things too far, then you would get the impressive scolding and disapproving glare that you deserved.

Mary’s impact and love was not limited to her own children. She made her home a neighborhood hangout and made sure everyone felt welcome and part of the family. Her house and yard were full of laughter, kids playing, or hanging out in the kitchen with Mrs. McKinney. Catching up on the latest news over a game of Boggle or plate of fresh chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. A respite from the trials of their young lives. The front yard was the scene for 4 square and basketball. The backyard took a severe trampling from herds of youngsters playing “Moo Cow”. Great memories were made and the grass grew back. Eventually. The park behind her house was for tackle football, baseball and flashlight tag. The basement housed the wildlife menagerie, ping pong table and BB gun range. Mary was standing by to mend skinned knees, bruised egos and broken hearts with equal aplomb. She was always there for us but gave us the space to grow as individuals. When her kids entered college, their classmates were invited over for home cooked meals, companionship and a place to unwind. To this day many of the young people who visited Mary’s home recall those days fondly and consider themselves honorary McKinney’s. All made possible by one Mary Angela McKinney.

Let us not forget the grandchildren and great grandchildren. A new group of young people for Mary to help find their way through life while enjoying the security of her presence, gentle smile and laughter. Mary was there for them all in so many ways. Daycare provider. Chauffeur. Chef. A shoulder to cry on and a gentle soul to hug when things were bad. The first person to call when they had a great day, made the winning goal, or found success in school. She was there through thick and thin. It is hard to adequately describe the drive she had to care for people. Not hard to describe the massive piles of Christmas presents she would buy for the grandkids and the multiple hours it took to open them all.

She loved them all most dearly, and they will never forget her and her embrace.

We cannot help but mourn the passing of someone of such grace and kindness. Please take solace in her final words: “I love you all”. She is irreplaceable but the memories and the lessons we received from the little girl that loved roaming her parents’ acreage all those years ago will be with us forever.

Mary is survived by her sister Sandra Larsh, all four of her children and their spouses: John (Terrie), Kevin (Gina), Michele Wright (Randy), and Craig (Lani), as well as her grandchildren, Zera Anderson, Ian, Jordan, Grayson, Lawton Wright, Hunter Wright, Kekoa (Reece), Gavyn and great grandchild, Alijah Wright.

A visitation will be on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, 2900 Hoover Avenue, in Ames. A vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2026, also at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames with burial to follow at the Ames Municipal Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_hogLNRYRY.  Following the graveside service, a late lunch will be served at the church.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mary. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.