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PATRICIA MAY MCKINLEY
Born: Sep 19, 1946
Date of Passing: Feb 02, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryPATRICIA MAY MCKINLEY
Our beloved Pat, Mom, travelled a long, resilient transition to rest in the early hours of February 2, 2026, at age 79 years.
Born in Pickering, Ontario, Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 31 years, Jim McKinley, her children with Stephen Haight (1st husband) Jason (Allison), and Kristin Haight (Werner), her sister Elizabeth (Jim) Erickson, granddaughter Evelyn, niece Janet (Syd) Smith, as well as extended family and friends. She is pre-deceased by sister Marjorie (Don) McManus, mother Alma (nee Skoglund), and father C.N. (Bert) Wheeler.
A graduate of The Greater Niagara General Hospital School of Nursing in 1968, Pat dedicated over 44 years to the care of others as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse. During her tenure, she managed the Emergency and Operating Departments, and was also a PICC nurse specialist. Her exceptional skills and empathetic, no-nonsense work ethic assisted countless patients at St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston NY and Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg.
With fortitude, tenacity and grit, Pat raised her daughter Kristin as a single mother, instilling her industriousness, discipline and integrity along the way with unwavering support.
Pat’s retirement was spent lovingly with Jim at their home in Ponemah, MB, where her green thumb thrived in her floral gardens. She enjoyed researching her own, as well as her children and husbands’ genealogical roots, and was able to travel to connect with extended cousins in the UK and Ireland. Pat loved to collect items of beauty and curiosity such as antiques, jewellery and ceramics with a particular love of the art nouveau era.
Cremation has taken place and a private gathering will be held at a later date.
Pat’s immediate family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Betel Home Foundations in Gimli, MB for their care and compassion for these last years of her life journey.
Memorial donations in Pat’s memory can be made to betelhomefoundation.ca/donations
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 14, 2026
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I have known Jim since we were youngsters and when he met Pat he was the happiest guy in the world. Their senses of humor blended perfectly and being around them was always a pure joy. I was away from Winnipeg for many of the years they were married and moved away permanently not too long before Pat took sick. Jim visited her twice a day for so many years I know it was very hard on him so see her decline as she did. Now that she has passed away it will be a relief for both of them. May she rest in peace. - Posted by: Gordon McIntosh (Friend) on: Feb 16, 2026
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I met Pat when she started working at the Emergency department at Victoria General Hospital.She was such a caring competent loving kindhearted person who everyone loved. I also worked with her mom Alma in Emergency so I was very happy to learn that Pat was Alma’s daughter. Pat was a wonderful nurse. My condolences to Jim and her children , to her friends and to the rest of the family. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Pona Mohammed (Co worker) on: Feb 15, 2026
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I worked with Pat for many years in the ER AT VGH. She was well respected and loved by all who knew her. I appreciated her candid approach and sense of humor along with her compassionate, excellent care she gave her patients. Visited her in and Jim in their home in Ponemah a few years ago. It was clear she enjoyed and loved being close to nature and her gardens. So sad to hear the difficult journey she experienced. Praying she is at peace now! Condolences to Jim and the rest of her family!🥲🙏❤️ - Posted by: Catherine Coates (Coworker) on: Feb 15, 2026
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Pat was such a wonderful person. Her soft voice but sharp wit was an unexpected combination. She will now find peace after these difficult last few years. Our deepest Condolences to Jim and family. - Posted by: Rod Giese (friend) on: Feb 14, 2026