Obituary
Eleanor Lurlene (Arnette) McKinley, 86, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and dedicated educator passed away at her home in Winter Park, Florida, October 14th, 2024 after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. She struggled through her illness for over five years, demonstrating remarkable determination, strength, and resilience.
Eleanor is survived by her two daughters, Becky Clisch (David), of Winter Park, Florida and Janice Brooks (Bryan) of Suffolk, Virginia; her grandchildren Robert Thomas Rang, of Winter Park, FL, Rebecca Hasbrouck (Anthony), of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Matthew Clisch (Becky), of Green Bay, Wisconsin and her great grandchildren Elijah Hasbrouck, Nico Hasbrouck, Maija Clisch and Josie Clisch. She also leaves behind many special nieces, grand nieces, and nephews whom she loved very much.
She is preceded in death by her husband “Mac” Gwendoff McKinley, her father Thomas Watson Arnette and mother, Louella Arnette Eason of Brunswick Georgia; her siblings, Betty Ruth Cooper of Fitzgerald, GA, Talmadge Arnette of Albany, GA, and Tommie Lou Toth, “Lucy” of Coral Gables, FL.
Eleanor was born on July 9, 1938, in Brunswick, Georgia. She graduated from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, GA then met and married “Mac” McKinley and moved to Hawaii. She had a great passion for playing the piano and met him while playing at a wedding. They were married on December 23rd, 1958.She learned to love to watch basketball with him and later became a huge fan of Orlando Magic and watched as many games as possible. In the early years they square danced with friends often and went on line runs on Mac’s blue and white teardrop full dress Harley Davidson motorcycle with groups of friends. She loved to cook and made so many great meals and chocolate pies.
They were married just three months shy of 60 years. Later, after they moved to Florida she pursued and received her degree in Elementary Education from Rollins College then continued and received her master’s in special education from the University of Central Florida. She accepted a position as a special education teacher at Colonial High school in Orlando Florida and taught special education for more than 33 years. Her family and friends will always remember her as a resolute teacher who spent a great deal of time at Colonial High.
The funeral is scheduled for January 24th, 2025, at 2 P.M. at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida. She will be interred in the Columbarium with her husband Mac for eternity. There will be a military service to honor Mac’s 23 years in the Navy. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Eleanor Lurlene’s life. The family would like to thank all those who cared for her and helped her during these last years.
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