Audrey McKinnon died Feb. 8, 2007, at her home in Shelton after a 15-month battle with cancer. She was 78.

Mrs. McKinnon was born on Sept. 9, 1928, in Tacoma to Clarence and Lyda Whiteford. She graduated from Lincoln High School. She married the love of her life, Gene R. McKinnon, on May 16, 1947, at Lincoln Park Christian Church in Tacoma.

She was a loving, caring, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She recently became a great-grandmother and was able to see her great-grandson from New Jersey on Christmas 2006.

Mrs. McKinnon served as deaconess, choir member and director, in several area Christian churches including Tacoma, Kingston, Silverdale, Shelton, Belfair and even Indio, Calif. She also served as decorator, providing glorious floral bouquets. In whatever capacity she served she was always praising the Lord. She was an accomplished seamstress and artist. Her love of flowers showed in her gardens which she meticulously kept. She especially enjoyed her great variety of dahlias.

She worked along side her husband, owning and operating a clothing store in Tacoma, a fabric store in University Place and a department store and True Value Hardware in Silverdale. When the couple retired, they built a home in Shelton and spent the winters in Indio. Mrs. McKinnon insisted on leaving home only after Christmas and returning before Easter. She loved celebrating the holidays with family.

Mrs. McKinnon is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years; her daughter April (Steve) Woodhouse of Lincoln, Mont.; her sons Kip (Dee Dee) McKinnon of Port Orchard and Matt McKinnon of Grayland, Wash.; grandchildren Jennifer (Michael) Santiago, Paul Woodhouse, Lindsey and Kyle McKinnon; one great-grandchild, Sebastian Santiago; her sister Pat LeClaire of Harstine Island, Wash. and Shirley Upton of Anchorage, Ala.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Chambers Creek Chapel, New Tacoma Cemetery in University Place.

Remembrances may be made to Group Health Community Foundation or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.