Sarah Kathleen McKinney

Sarah Kathleen McKinney of Austin, Texas and formerly of Roanoke, Virginia passed onto her heavenly reward December 30, 2020 at the age of 81. Sarah, known as Sally, was the mother to three children, Dan (Kim) McKinney, Charles (Sharon) McKinney and Sarah (David)Stankes, grandmother to Anna, Ben and Jack Stankes, Shalyn Bane and great grandmother to Jasilynn. Her beloved husband Dan passed away in 1994 after thirty years of marriage. Sally was an avid sports enthusiast and in her youth was an outstanding soccer player and softball pitcher. Sally, and her husband Dan, met on a soccer field and married in Glen Cove, New York and raised their three children in Roanoke, Virginia. Sally and Dan coached many of their children's soccer and basketball teams, were instrumental in starting recreational soccer in Roanoke, Virginia and organized a referee organization in the greater Roanoke area. Sally retired from Robertson Marketing Group after 20 years of working for the Robertson family whom she loved dearly. In her later years, Sally was active in the lives of her grandchildren, moving from Salem, Virginia to New Hampshire, then to Austin, Texas to be close to them. She was a daily part of Anna, Ben and Jack’s lives for many years and her absence has already been sorely missed due to the pandemic quarantine and isolation for the past ten months. Sally was fascinated by nature, geology, the weather and shared her love of gardening and sports with her family. Many memorable adventures in her life included attending the World Cup Soccer matches in 1994 in Washington DC, an Alaskan cruise with Charlie and Sharon, many day trips with Dan and Kim on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Peaks of Otter, annual summer vacations in Kennebunk, Maine with her daughter Sarah and family, and a trip to Bermuda with her husband and dear sister and brother in law Jessie and Jerry Pietrafesa. She was known for her sweet tooth and never passed up a piece of pie, cookies or her favorite, carrot cake. We thank the staff at Brookdale North Austin Assisted Living Facility in Austin, Texas for the love and friendships Sally enjoyed the past two years. A special thanks to Sami who kept her laughing, and to Megan, Erica and all the staff at Brookdale North Austin for their tireless work and efforts to keep their residents happy and safe in these unprecedented times. A Funeral Service will be planned for family in Austin, Texas when possible, and a Memorial Service for family and friends later in 2021 in Salem, Virginia. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Blue Ridge Parkway. (https://wwwbrpfoundation.org/donate)

Sarah Kathleen McKinney

May 20, 1939 - December 30, 2020