Lucille Mae McKee, 88, of Albany passed away on Thursday at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Lucille was born at home in Roosevelt, Minn., the fourth daughter of Ed and Ellen Grill. She loved music and in high school excelled in playing the clarinet. She graduated high school in 1943.
Lucille met John McKee in 1939 and they attended high school together as sweethearts. They married Dec. 10, 1944, and their separation while John was overseas strengthened their lifelong commitment that being together was all that mattered. They had 63 years.
Lucille and John moved to Albany in 1947 next to her parents. They worked tirelessly with her parents building their homes. Living next to Lucille's family enabled her to continue to help her mother who was crippled with arthritis. Lucille and John worked hard and had their first home built and paid for by their 10th anniversary.
Lucille worked outside the home for the fire department and school district in Albany but her first love was being home. She loved a clean and polished house and took excellent care of her family.
She enjoyed sewing, cooking and entertaining family and friends. She also loved fishing, playing the piano and traveling to visit family and friends. She was most happy just being with John.
Lucille is survived by daughters Trudy and husband Del Edwards, and Nancy and husband Ron Kruse, all of Albany; grandsons David, Justin and Nathan; granddaughter Teresa; seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; brother Oliver Edward Grill of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and sister Ellen Mae Jansen of Seaside.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John McKee; parents; and siblings Harold Grill, Elaine Starren, Raymond Grill, Irene Gordon and Marilyn Grill.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. today at the First Assembly of God in Albany. Entombment will take place at Willamette Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mighty Oaks Children's Therapy Center and Meals on Wheels.