Marie-Celine "Sally" McKinney

In Loving Memory of Marie-Celine "Sally" McKinney

Sally McKinney, 86, born Marie-Celine Moss in Melbourne, Australia, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Born on August 26, 1938, in Melbourne, Australia, Sally was the daughter of the late Lucy Phyllis (Moran) Moss and Horace Edward Moss. At a very young age, one of her favorite aunts glanced down at her and proclaimed, "Marie-Celine is a ridiculous name for a little thing like you. You should be called "Sally!" And so it was.

Sally excelled in the School of Nursing at the Royal Perth Hospital, and soon set off on her adventure as a traveling nurse. Her first stop was in western Canada. She then worked her way across the country, reveling in the adventure and her hard-earned independence. Her journey continued to Bermuda where she met Charlie McKinney, a dashing young Naval Aviator. They married and she proudly embraced her new role as a wife and mother. 

Together, Sally and Charlie traveled the world, living in places like Bermuda, Pennsylvania, California, Canada, Rhode Island, the Azores, Florida, Ohio, and Panama before finally settling in Charleston, SC. Sally was deeply devoted to her family. She loved being a "mum," and her love for her four children was immeasurable.

Sally was known for her competitiveness. Early in their marriage, while in Bermuda, Charlie introduced Sally to tennis and she quickly became immersed in the sport. She amassed many trophies and earned USTA rankings while playing with the Ladies Volvo Tennis Team in Mt. Pleasant. Her circle of close friends was always her "tennis girls." Sally and Charlie frequently hosted visiting tennis players and volunteered at local tournaments, even driving Venus Williams and her mother to an event. Sally also worked at Snee Farm to sustain her "tennis fix."

Sally's kindness and generosity left a lasting impact. She always helped others, sharing everything she had. Her calm presence had the power to defuse any volatile situation, and her ability to bring happiness and light was a gift to everyone she met. We are all better for having had her in our lives.

In 2006, Sally and her family first noticed signs of mild cognitive impairment. By 2010, dementia was diagnosed, and Sally fought courageously against it. She defied the odds, surviving pneumonia in 2021 and a broken hip in 2023. Even in her diminished state, Sally continued to spread joy to all who knew her, and she never gave up. Her legacy is one of resilience and love. She left the world a better place.

Sally is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Charles Joseph McKinney, Jr., and her brother, Dennis Moss. Sally is survived by her four children, Lucinda, Anthony, Rebecca and Zachary and their families.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Stella Maris Catholic Church, (1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island), followed by burial at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens (1308 Mathis Ferry Road).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charlity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation ~ Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.