Mary Ellen McKinsey April 22, 1938 – February 22, 2015

Mary Ellen McKinsey, 76, of Madison, passed to Heaven on February 22, 2015 in the hospital among family, after a long illness. Born in Indianapolis as Mary Ellen Combs on April 22, 1938, Mrs. McKinsey (Broad Ripple High School) graduated from Indiana University with a marketing degree. At IU she met and married her sweetheart, Gerald Lee McKinsey on St. Valentine’s Day, 1959. They settled in Muncie, IN, where Mrs. McKinsey earned a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University while raising three girls. At Delta High School, she served as department head and taught business education classes for 15 years before retiring. She and her husband created a governmental and school software company in the newly formed personal computer and software industry, leading Keystone Consulting Services, Inc., to great Indiana success. The couple retired in 2002 in Madison, AL, to enjoy family and grandchildren. Mrs. McKinsey was the longest survivor of PPH by years, having successfully fought the disease for 15 years with the help of Rush University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and new medicine clinical trials. Passing before her are her parents Edmund Nichols Combs, Dorothy Frances (Davis) Combs, and her brother, Alfred Edmund Combs (all of Indianapolis). Mrs. McKinsey is survived by the following, all of Madison, AL; Husband of 56 years, Gerald Lee McKinsey, three daughters; Kathleen M. Diamant (Bryce), Karen A. McKinsey, and Keely M. Kurth (Peter). Grandchildren are Hannah, Grant, Meridian, and Carter. Mary Ellen McKinsey was a loving wife, supportive mother, inspiring teacher, a natural leader with an invincible spirit who leaves a devastating void. Donations in lieu of flowers for those desiring may be made to the American Lung Association. Viewing was held February 27, 2015 at 11 a.m., funeral at noon at Madison Chapel Funeral Home, 8521 Highway 72 West.