Jill Hunter McKinney

Albany - Jill Hunter McKinney, 75, of Albany, died peacefully at home, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Born July 25, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late James Russell and Barbara VanDeventer Wagoner. Jim Wagoner’s job with the FBI took the family to Chicago, Colorado Springs, and Washington DC. After high school in McLean, VA, Jill followed her sister Kristie to Athens, where she attended Ohio University and became one of the town’s many permanent ‘transplants.’ Jill spent her career at Ohio University’s Department of International Studies, where she served as the assistant to three directors over 30 years. One of her favorite parts of the job was to introduce her many international friends to an American Halloween, who arrived at the Center to find Jill replaced by a snaggle-toothed witch. Twenty years ago, Jill’s interest in international affairs and her love of adventure took her on a month-long medical mission to Kenya.

The happiest years of Jill’s life began on October 23, 1983, when she married Phil McKinney in Galbreath Chapel. Phil was a handsome devil and a fabulous cook; he and Jill adored each other. They built a beautiful home, Knob Chase, in the woods of Vinton County, where they lived with their dogs Bear, Little Girl, and Gracie. In the summers, Phil and Jill would grab their White Lake ball caps and head to the VanDeventer cottage on the Michigan shore, where they loved to drink coffee with Aunt Nancy and Aunt Judy, walk the beach, and watch the diamonds on the water. The best summers included a second vacation in Topsail Beach, where Phil and Jill water skied, met the shrimp boat to buy dinner, and won every rowdy euchre game.

Jill loved miniatures, Maxfield Parrish, historical fiction, fancy jackets, and gourmet dinners. Her friends never forgot a gift, as the wrappings were works of art. Like her mom, she could sew. Jill created many beautiful quilts under the tutelage of Bev Schumacher. For the past few years, lunches with her girlfriends Betsy, Rhonda, Celia, Nancy S, Christine, Vicky, Barb and Perianne fed her body and soul.

Jill is survived by her sister, Kimberlee (Ron) Koetje; her brother, Van R. Wagoner; three nieces, Lacy Fuge’re, Dixie Anjo and Morgan Koetje; one nephew, Doug Britton; her stepson Darrah McKinney; step-granddaughters Maura and Kaya McKinney; her friend of over fifty years, Nancy Cooper; and dear friends Betsy Markovich and Rhonda Roberts.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Phil, who died of an aneurysm in 2009, and her big sister, Kristie Fuge’re.

Jill’s family and friends are grateful to Silk Home Care. Ehren and Susan Lowers, Kaytelyn, Gabby, Eben, and Enoch made it possible for Jill to rejoin Phil in the place they both loved best: Knob Chase.

A celebration of Jill’s life will be held at a later date on the shores of Lake Michigan. As an animal lover, Jill would love it if you’d make a donation to Athens Friends of the Shelter dogs. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with the Hughes Funeral Home in Athens, Ohio.