McKinley, Mary Lynette Left this world on November 30, 2020 after fighting pancreatic cancer, to begin her journey in the spirit world to be with her beloved husband Dan McKilligan. A friend, sister, aunt and wife, Mary was born on February 8, 1956 in Winfield KS to Julia Morrene Anders McKinley & Wm Benjamin McKinley. Before finally settling in St Paul, she resided in Denver CO, Alamogordo NM, Port Hueneme CA, Amarillo TX and Elk River MN. She married Daniel McKilligan on Oct 2, 1983. Preceded in death by her parents and husband. Survived by sisters Julie Yoder (Bruce) of Minneapolis and Marcia Omo (Manual) of California City, and brother Andy of Alameda CA, mother-in-law Ruth McKilligan, many beloved niblings, including Joseph Anton (Laura), Doug Yoder (Carly Zuckweiler) and Marina Yoder (Evan Hall) and great-niblings. Mary was a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, and as a pioneer in the field she helped write the registration exam and received the Weitzmann Award for Polysomnographic Excellence in 1999. She worked in sleep health centers at HCMC, North Memorial Health Care, Sound Sleep Center, Northwind Lung Specialists, and Andros Sleep Center; she also taught polysomnographic technology students at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. In her retirement, she worked at Uncle Edgar's Mystery Bookstore. Mary's passions included reading, theater, gardening, travel, and history. From 1999 onward, she was on the Convention Committee for CONvergence Science Fiction convention. She was a board member for the Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games and for the living history group Clann Tartan, where she served many years as President, and portrayed the herbwife at many historical events throughout the upper Midwest. A life-long learner with insatiable curiosity, Mary received her AAS degree in Neurodiagnostic Technology from Anoka-Ramsey Community College in 1985, her BA in Psychology and Anthropology from Hamline University in 2002, and her MA in Holistic Health Studies from St. Catherine University in 2017. She planned to continue her education, aiming for a PhD when she could decide on a subject. She will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched. A memorial service will be held in Summer 2021. If desired, memorials can be sent to the Minnesota Scottish Fair at mnscottishfair.org or Kitty Revolution at kittyrevolution.org Mary's advice to all still standing: "Life is too short to not have a good time"

Published on December 27, 2020