Passed away on Friday August 5, 2022 at the age of 90. Widow of the late RCAF Capt William Alfred McKee. Dear step-grandmother to Rebecca and cherished aunt to Birgit Loewe (Achim Flottmann). Predeceased by her stepson Bradley McKee (Vina) and her brother Oswald.
Born in Hohndorf, Germany on 17 April, 1932 to the late Hedwig (née Peschke) and Otto Loewe. She attended elementary and high school in Germany, following which she entered the Elisabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Bochum, Germany, graduating with a diploma in Nursing in 1953.
She immigrated to Canada on 4 November 1953 and took up employment at the Municipal Hospital in Medicine Hat as general duty nurse and night supervisor.
She enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a nursing sister in 1957. Following basic training in London, Ontario, she was posted to RCAF Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia in the rank of Flying Officer. She became the med-air evacuation nurse during that posting and also obtained a Private Pilot License. In September 1958, she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy Hospital Stadacona in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1960, she went on a 3 year posting to the RCAF Station Hospital at 3 Fighter Wing Zweibruecken, in Germany, where she held positions as head nurse and OPD supervisor.
She returned to Canada in January 1964 and was appointed Head Nurse at the National Defence Medical Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. She was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in February 1964. In October 1966, she was posted to RCAF Station Gimli as the Senior Nursing Officer at the Station Hospital. In July 1970 she returned to the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa as Nursing Supervisor.
In 1973 she entered a three year degree program in Nursing at the University of Ottawa and received a Baccalaureate in Nursing Science in 1976. Following University training she was appointed Staff Officer with the Specialist Officers Career Development Program Research Study Group at National Defence Headquarters, in the rank of Major.
In 1979 she was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed Director of Nursing at the National Defence Medical Centre. In 1981 she was transferred to National Defence Headquarters, Directorate of Personnel Careers Officers, as Career Manager for the Nursing Classification.
She was promoted to Colonel in December 1983 and assumed the position of Director of Nursing Services at the Surgeon General Branch, National Defence Headquarters. At that time she was appointed the Queens honorary nursing sister and served as a consultant to the Canadian Forces Medical Council. At St.John Ambulance, she served as a Nursing Advisor in an extracurricular capacity.
Col McKee retired from the Canadian Forces on CRA in 1988, but remained on the Supplementary Ready Reserve list for several years.
Friends are invited to visit the Hall of Colours of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre on Thursday August 18 after 9 a.m. Funeral will be held in the Sacred Space at 10 a.m. followed by interment at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces. In memoriam donation may be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Digital Guestbook
Dompierre, Marcel and Mary Lou
Joan Meyer
We met Roni and Bill in Gimli Manitoba where Dick was also part of the medical team. Our friendship endured for many years and we had the good fortune of meeting often in our travels. So many fond memories of time spent together in and around Baden-Baden. Bill and Roni were a wonderful team who knew how to make everyone feel welcome.
Charles and Jacqueline Vrana
Bill and Roni were our dear friends from the time we all met at Gimli. Bill and I were instructor pilots on T-33's and Jacqueline was an Air Force nurse. We kept in touch for all the years since and Bill and Roni were godparents to our son Michel. Many good times were spent celebrating over the years.
Our condolences to Birgit who we will miss seeing.
Michel Vrana
Aunt Roni and Uncle Bill were my godparents. Two of the kindest people I've ever known, both joyful souls. I'm fortunate to have had them in my life.
We were neighbours and close friends for over thirty years and we mourn her passing. She was a kind and generous person and a great example to all and will be missed immensely.