Cleo Turner McKinney

Cleo Turner McKinney, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado after a long and full life. All her children and grandchildren, from all over the country, were able to say their good-byes and reminisce with her before her passing.

Cleo met her beloved husband of nearly 65 years - John Adams McKinney – when he was a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. After his graduation and naval service, they married in 1946 and set up their first home together in Washington, D.C., where John attended Georgetown University Law School. All three of Cleo and John’s children – John Adams, Jr., Cleo Kathleen and Todd Turner – were born in Washington, D.C.

Two weeks after John’s graduation, Cleo and John moved their family to Princeton, New Jersey without their cherished baby daughter, who passed as an infant just days after her birth. There, John joined the Johns-Manville Corporation in its law department, rising through the company to become President in 1976, CEO in 1977 and Chairman and CEO in 1979. Cleo was the perfect partner and wind-beneath-his-wings throughout the John’s Manville journey, serving as the company’s ambassador at home and abroad beside her husband until his retirement in 1986. John referred to Cleo as his “angel” at their 60th wedding anniversary and she was a friend to everyone, from shopkeepers to Manville employees to foreign dignitaries.

During her lifetime, Cleo devoted herself to her two sons and four grandsons. She was also tickled pink when her first grandchild was a girl – at last! Two more girls (one whose middle name is Cleo) and twin boys followed to make her life more than complete. In addition to traveling the world with her husband, she also shared his love of golf and flyfishing. They were also dog parents to nine dachshunds throughout their lives. Known as a shrewd shopper, Cleo could find a bargain wherever she went and loved to gift her “finds” to family and friends.

Cleo is survived by her two sons and daughter-in-laws (Carol and Beverly); four grandsons: John McKinney III (wife Sara), Thomas McKinney (wife Sabina), David McKinney and Michael McKinney (wife Laurie); and five great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Margot, Camille, John and Grant.

Cleo was the surviving matriarch in the family and is mourned by nieces and nephews, as well.

Cleo requested that a memorial service for her precious husband, John, be postponed until she joined him on the other side and their life – together – could be celebrated.

Cleo and John will be laid to rest privately at Fairview Cemetery, 1000 South 26th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in Cleo’s memory to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610 Abbot Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.

We will miss you, Mom, Mama, Grandie, Gigi!