Barbara McKinnon, a truly generous spirit, passed away on October 12, 2024, following an unexpected illness.
Barb was born in Albuquerque, NM on April 9, 1964, to Daniel Angus McKinnon III, who served as a Justice on the New Mexico Supreme Court, and Karen McKinnon, an acclaimed author of seven books of poetry. They both instilled a strong sense of justice, leavened with compassion, in their daughter. A person of deep faith, Barb embodied the Great Commandment, as she sought to love her neighbors as herself. Barb was a fiercely independent woman, unencumbered by conventional protocols, yet she also respected and honored the traditions of family and church. Ultimately, she trusted in the goodness of humanity.
When Barb was 15 years old, she ran away from home and hitchhiked to Los Angeles, CA. She had to overcome harrowing obstacles just to survive, but she doggedly persevered until she found her true calling. Barb discovered that she loved caregiving. Her genuine empathy and loving nature led her to specialize in services for the elderly. She was a dedicated, ceaseless advocate for senior citizens. She made the elderly believe that they were special and had worth. She let them know that they were loved and cherished. Their appreciation for Barb is evidenced in the multitude of referrals, recommendations, and thank you notes she received. She professed to have retired, yet she maintained a busy schedule with clients who could not bear to let her go.
Barb loved many genres of music, and she was especially fond of singing in Karaoke bars. She was convinced that she had the voice of an angel. Although she was an angel to so many, the adjective "angelic" sadly did not extend to her singing voice.
Barb moved back to Albuquerque in 2013. From the moment she arrived, she devoted much of her time to her mother, Karen. They became an inseparable dynamic duo, as they traveled the United States in search of adventure and culture. They were also fixtures at the Faith Lutheran Church, where they spent most of their Sundays. Their precious final years together allowed them to make up for time lost when Barb left home at such a young age. The closeness they discovered was enriched and fortified by their love, and undoubtedly blessed Karen with many joyous years.
Barb is predeceased by her parents and stepfather, Richard Stibolt. She is survived by her brother, Daniel Ian McKinnon and his wife, Sonnet; nephew, William Angus McKinnon and niece, Ashley Love McKinnon (both of whom always referred to Barb as "Auntie Barb"); stepmother, Eleanor McKinnon; aunt, Gretchen Kinzie; and cousins: Nancy Alzate, Michael Burnett, Linley Allen, Alexis Puma, Aura Alzate, Hon Kinzie, Kli Kinzie, Magon Kinzie, Dnae Kinzie, Daven Quelle, and Mikel Quelle.
It would be remiss to not include two more core passions held by Barb-her dogs and the Democratic party. With respect to the former, the picture accompanying this obituary says it all; she was perpetually surrounded by her numerous furry companions. Their unconditional love always seemed to delight and enchant Barb. As for the Democratic Party, Barb diligently campaigned for local, as well as national, candidates. She was especially fervent about the upcoming election.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Barb's life will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 10000 Spain Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Memory of
Barbara McKinnon, www.alz.org.
Please visit our on online guest book for Barb at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
FRENCH - University
1111 University Blvd. NE
505.843.6333
www.FrenchFunerals.com
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (Mountain time)
Faith Lutheran Church
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