Obituary of Anna L. McKinlay

     Anna (Ann) McKinlay, 89, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2020, at River Ridge Living Center, Amsterdam.  Ann was born in Amsterdam on January 14, 1931, the daughter of the late Anthony and Louise (Fasulo) Visconti.  Ann attended Wilbur Lynch High School and worked at Woolworth’s, Mohasco and Lolly’s Ice Cream Shop on Florida Avenue where she met her future husband, Alfred H. McKinlay.  She and Al were married on September 2, 1950 and were inseparable until his death in 2014.  She also worked at General Electric for a brief period prior to the birth of her first child.

     Ann was a loving and caring Mom first and foremost – not just to her children but to so many others.  Those who were fortunate enough to know Ann say that she was the nicest and most selfless person they knew, even calling her St. Ann - which embarrassed her. Her cooking and baking skills were renowned. She was known for standing in the kitchen all day creating Southern Italian masterpieces.  Her homemade manicotti and stuffed peppers were legendary.  There was always an abundance of coveted homemade chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen counter.  She never forgot to acknowledge a birthday or anniversary with a heartfelt card.   After her children were grown, she joined her husband, Al, in his business.  They travelled throughout the country and Europe, making lifelong friendships wherever they went. At times it seemed they lived in the car as they drove from coast to coast and north to south.   They were a dynamic team.   

     In 1960, Ann and Al moved to McDougall Road, Pattersonville, where they built a house on Al’s family farm property.  Ann grew up in Amsterdam but was at home in the country where she would always remark on the beautiful sky and wonderful view.  Her passion was her beautiful flower gardens which she maintained meticulously throughout the summer as well as all the African violets around the inside of her home. She spent countless hours canning and freezing vegetables from hers and Al’s garden.  After surviving breast cancer in 1974, she joined Reach to Recovery where she helped others who also survived the disease.  She loved to read, knit, sew, and dance. She was a fierce opponent on the Scrabble board.  She and Al would play every Saturday night while enjoying a “wee dram.”  In true Ann style, she would not bask in winning, it just was what it was.  Al, however, did not take defeat well.  Ann would just smile her knowing smile and let him tell the story his way.  She was a most kindhearted person - never letting anyone leave her house without waving goodbye at the door and calling “I love you.”

     Ann was pre-deceased by her brother Thomas Visconti, and sisters Philomena Giuliani, Carmella Badalucco and Margaret Albanese. 

     Ann’s survivors include, son Mark (Jen Hunter) McKinlay of Phoenixville PA and his first wife, Silvana McKinlay, daughter Ava (Mike) Douglass of Amsterdam, son Stephen (Karen) McKinlay of Lawrenceville, GA , and son Jon McKinlay of Pattersonville.   Her grandchildren also survive:  Michelle (Jason) Monro, Sarena (Kevin Shpritzer) Douglass, Joel (Andrea) Douglass, Andrew McKinlay, Christopher McKinlay, Connor McKinlay, Collin McKinlay, Jonathan McKinlay, Lauren McKinlay, Lily Harris and Ryan Motyka.  She leaves 6 great grandchildren - Alistair and Ainsley Monro, Vera and Sidney Douglass, Ren McKinlay and Avery Shpritzer, her brother Rocco (Helen) Visconti of Schenectady,  her brother-in-law Kenneth (Pat) Aucompaugh and sisters-in-law Janet Aucompaugh and Patricia Isabella as well as many nieces and nephews.

      Ann’s was a life well-lived as she touched countless people with her gentleness, generosity and grace.  Her sense of humor never left her, even in challenging times.  During family gatherings, she would jump into the joking and laughter with both feet, enjoying every minute she had with those she loved.  She was a person of faith and attended St. Margaret’s of Cortona Mission in Rotterdam Junction for many years.  She asked that any donations in her memory be made to the mission.  Finally, the family would like to thank the skilled and thoughtful staff at River Ridge Living Center for their kindness in taking care of our Mom – they held her hand when we could not.

        A graveside celebration of life for both Ann and Al McKinlay will be held on Saturday July 17, 2021 at 11:00AM at the Van Vechten Cemetery in Pattersonville, NY.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home , 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010.