Julia Ann McKay, loved by many
Julia Ann (Patterson)"Judy" McKay, 103, of Lewes and Hockessin, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin. She was born in Wilmington Oct. 13, 1921, daughter of the late Percy and Julia (White) Patterson.
Judy was a graduate of Tower Hill High School in Wilmington and Arlington Hall Junior College in Virginia, where she received her associate degree and an equestrian diploma. She taught horseback riding for many years at Happy Valley Camp in Maryland
She married John "Jack" Patterson McKay in 1946. They built a home in West Farm, Greenville, and spent the next 25 years there raising their three sons. She did volunteer work for the Wilmington Flower Market, The Christmas Shop, and Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a sustaining member of the Wilmington Junior League and an emeritus member of the Junior Board of ChristianaCare.
Judy enjoyed all sports and was a member of the DuPont Country Club, Rehoboth Beach Country Club, and Lewes Yacht Club. She spent six months in Vero Beach, Fla., at John's Island and six months in their summer home in Lewes. After spending 16 winters in Florida, she and her husband sold their condo in Florida and moved to Cokesbury Village in Hockessin. They continued to spend their summers in Lewes.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Garrett Patterson, who died at 18 in 1936, her husband of 67 years John “Jack,” in 2013, and her son, John P. McKay Jr., in 2015. She is survived by her sons, Richard Garrett McKay Sr. and his wife Robin of Harbeson, and their son Richard "Garrett" McKay Jr. of Middletown, James Patterson McKay and his wife Janet of Lewes, and their sons Jason David McKay and his wife Sara of Riverview, Fla., and Jonathan David McKay and his wife Hannah of Columbus, Ohio; and her great-grandchildren, Norah May and David Albert.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes. A private interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1108 N. Adams St., Wilmington, DE 19899; or St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes, DE 19958.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Cokesbury Village for the many years of excellent care they provided Jack and Judy.
Visit the Life Memorial webpage for Julia and sign her online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
