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Lucie C. McKinney, 80, Of Westport; Wife Of Former Congressman

WESTPORT, Conn. – Lucie C. McKinney, the wife of former U.S. Rep. Stewart McKinney and mother of state Sen. John McKinney, died Saturday, May 10. She was 80.

Lucie C. McKinney

Lucie C. McKinney

Photo Credit: Spear Miller Funeral Home

McKinney was the daughter of race car driver and America’s Cup skipper Briggs Cunningham II and his wife, Lucie. She was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in New York City.

She was generous in her support of a variety of community agencies. She spearheaded for the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation, fighting for the homeless and people with HIV/AIDS. She and her family gave extensively to the Westport-Weston Family YMCA, the town of Westport, and many other causes.

“It is with sadness that I note the passing of Lucie C. McKinney,’’ Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe said. “She was a valued citizen in our community.  I salute her activist role in working with people with AIDS following the death of her husband, former Congressman Stewart McKinney, from that disease in 1987. She was also a strong proponent of protecting the environment as well as a major supporter of her church. 

"As a member of the Bedford family, Lucie McKinney continued a 100-year tradition of the Bedford family providing major support to the Westport Woman’s Club, the Family Y and Norwalk Hospital. On behalf of the Town of Westport, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family.”

Her son, John, is running for governor of Connecticut. She is also survived by children Stewart B. McKinney Jr., Lucie B. McKinney, Jean C. McKinney, Elizabeth (Libby) M. Tritschler, John P. McKinney; 12 grandchildren; aunt Ruth Bedford; brother Briggs Cunningham; sister Cythleen Maddock; friend Gary Smith; and best friends Tiffany and Briggs.

A service celebrating McKinney's life will be held Tuesday, May 20, at 4 p.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4670 Congress St., Fairfield. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can go to one of her favorite causes: Stewart B. McKinney Foundation, Westport-Weston Family YMCA or John McKinney for Governor.

Spear Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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