Dorothy Fekjar McKinley

Dorothy Fekjar McKinley Dorothy Fekjar McKinley, a retired educator from the Long Beach Unified School District and former Century 21 realtor, passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family in Wilsonville, Oregon on October 11, 2010. She was 96 years old. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, friend and colleague, Dorothy was also a world traveler, historian, and social maven. She invested in long-lasting friendships with people of all ages. She embraced email at age 80, which enhanced her prolific letter writing to many correspondents around the globe. Born in Manchester, NH on August 1, 1914, Dorothy was the third child of six in the French-speaking family of Joseph and Elizabeth Helie. She moved to Plattsburgh, NY in 1928 following the death of her mother. After graduating from Plattsburgh State Normal School (now SUNY) in 1935, she continued her studies at NYU and earned her Masters in Education at USC. She taught in Briarcliff Manor, NY, in a one-room schoolhouse in Essex Junction, CA, and in Lake Arrowhead before eventually putting down roots in Long Beach. She traveled abroad to teach in France for the Rochefort-American School in 1954. Dorothy loved teaching and kept in contact with many of her students throughout her lifetime. Upon her return from Europe, she married Norwegian born, Bernhard Fekjar. She was a woman who mined the depths of what life had to offer. She loved entertaining, traveling, gardening and playing bridge. In 1965, Dorothy traveled around the world on sabbatical for 7 months, documenting her experiences through photographs and journals in order to enhance the classes that she taught. She especially loved Norway, visiting there several times over the years. After retiring in 1971, she divorced and started a new chapter in her life, entering the world of real estate with Century 21. Through that career she met Ralph "Mac" McKinley. The "up call" turned into a happy marriage of families and more travels. Mac and Dorothy settled in Westminster, CA. Dorothy was as kind as she was colorful and had a great sense of humor. She was generous with her time and attention, rarely missed anyone's birthday, and always made others feel important and special. In 2004, at age 90, Dorothy moved to SpringRidge at Charbonneau, a retirement community in Wilsonville, Oregon, closer to her daughters' families. She still traveled to her beloved SUNY Plattsburgh every fifth year for Alumni homecoming, and made regular trips to visit her many California friends. Always curious, Dorothy enjoyed exploring her newly adopted state of Oregon and the community where she lived until she passed away, shortly after suffering a stroke. Dorothy wished to be cremated and to have her remains scattered at sea. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph "Mac" McKinley, and survived by her children, Donna (Robert) Delikat of Yamhill, OR; Karin (Mitchell) Hopkins of Monroe, OR; Elland (Dee) Fekjar of Long Beach, CA; Ray (Nancy) McKinley, of Alexandria, VA and Linda (Tim) Shanahan of Brighton, MI; 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and dozens of friends who formed her extended family. She was a mentor to many and a bright star who will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 4 PM on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Westminster Village Town Hall, 5200 Blackpool Rd, Westminster.