Therese McKinney

RANDOLPH—Therese "Dolly" McKinney, 85, died early Friday morning, June 13, 2008, at her home.

She was born May 10, 1923, in Stamford, Conn., the daughter of Otto J. and Gertrude (Escher) Froelicher. She was raised and schooled in Norwalk, Conn., and attended Mills College in California, and Goddard College in Vermont. She received her masters degree in education from Antioch College.

She married George Brett McKinney, who predeceased her. She had been an X-ray technician at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She moved to South Randolph in 1955, and Randolph in 2005.

She started the first kindergarten at the East Randolph School, and had taught kindergarten at Braintree School and at Randolph Community Preschool. She also taught education at the Community College of Vermont in Montpelier, retiring in 1993.

She enjoyed skiing, tennis, knitting, sewing and traveling, and was a counselor for the American Field Service exchange program at Randolph Union High School. She was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ.

Survivors include her sons, Peter McKinney of Lewisburg, W.Va., and Michael McKinney of McCall, Idaho; daughters, Susan Himes of Melrose, Mass., and Jane Pinello of Randolph Center; a sister, Suzanne Holcombe of Peterborough, N.H.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother, Peter Froelicher.

Memorial services were held Tuesday morning, June 17, at the Bethany United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Kathy Eddy and Rev. Robin Junker officiating. Marilyn Polson was the organist. A chorus of members of "Sounding Joy!" and Bethany Church sang four Bach chorales, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," "From East to West," "Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee," and "Now Thank We All Our God." The congregation sang "For the Beauty of the Earth."

Rev. Junker shared scripture and read the poem, "The Ship." Rev. Eddy led prayer and shared readings from Dolly’s journal. Memories were shared by son Mike, granddaughters Barbara and Becka, Haldora, who lived with the family as an exchange student, and Dolly’s caregivers. Becky McMeekin shared memories of working with Dolly at the preschool, and led everyone in singing, "Skinamarinky Dinky Dinky."

Rev. Eddy shared images of Dolly’s life, and read thoughts from Dolly’s daughter, Janie. The service closed with the family prayer that they said every night. A reception followed in the fellowship hall, provided by the women of Bethany Church. Private family burial services were held at the Randolph Center Cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Bethany Church, 30 North Main St., Randolph, Vt., 05060; or to Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 North Main St., Randolph; or to the AFS Program at Randolph Union High School, 15 Forest Street, Randolph.

Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com. Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

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