Obituary

Funeral services for Blanche Arlene Wheeler McKay, a resident of Jacksonville, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6th at Lakeshore Church of Christ, 1796 Old Middleburg Rd N, Jacksonville. Burial will be at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, 111 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, following the service. Visitation for family and friends is from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 5th at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd.
Mrs. McKay passed away Friday, December 29, 2017, at St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside, Jacksonville. Blanche McKay was born November 27, 1927, in Williamsburg, Virginia, the daughter of Stephen M. and Lillie H. Wheeler. She was the youngest of 12 children, two died in infancy. She was married to Harry McKay, USN Retired, in Jacksonville on July 20, 1946. He preceded her in death July 22, 2012. They were married for 66 years.
Mrs. McKay was a Navy wife, wonderful mother and grandmother. She worked at Peninsular Fire Insurance in the 1970's – 1980's until she retired and began traveling with her husband in their motorhome. They went to all fifty states and parts of Europe throughout their traveling years. She wrote and published several books on family genealogy on the Wheeler, Holcombe, Junek and McKay family. She communicated with people throughout the country helping them find their family roots. She loved music, mysteries and needlework but her favorite pastime was reading. She always had a book with her and has passed the love of reading to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mrs. McKay was a member of the Lakeshore Church of Christ from the early 1950's. Her favorite verses were Romans 8:31–39 that include the words "If God is for us, who is against us?" She lived her life with generosity of spirit and giving to help others.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Harry (Pamela) McKay, Temple Terrace, FL, Christine Page, Auburndale, FL, Susan (Stuart) Santos, Jacksonville, and Mark (Darlene) McKay, Anderson, SC; 7 grandchildren: Janette (Brandon) McElwain, Tonya (Toby) Vaughan, Joshua (Kelley) Page, Jennifer Hood, Megan (Scott) Zambito, Stuart E. Santos, Shawn (Stephanie) McKay; 5 great-grandchildren: Ashley (Michael) Hutcheson, Austin McElwain, Kella, Benning and Kallie Page; and 2 great-great-grandchildren: Sammy and Serena Hutcheson; 1 sister, Trudy Bowman of Newport News, VA, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the USO, where Blanche and Harry met in Cheatham Annex, Virginia, after World War II or to a charity of your choice.

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