Louise McKinney

Louise Elaine McKinney

June 2nd, 1942-March 18th 2025

Louise "Weeg" McKinney passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Tuesday March 18th.

Louise Wenner was born to Jerome and Pauline "Polly" Wenner in Philadelphia on June 2nd, 1942. Louise was the baby of the family, with her brothers Bruce and Fred leading the way. Louise's formative years were in Philadelphia while also spending a year abroad in Norway before completing her studies in Canton, Ohio as her Father who was a United Church of Christ was called to Canton to serve. After High School Louise attended Heidelberg college and graduated in 1963. In 1965 while working at a rehabilitation hospital in Haverstraw, New York she met Edward McKinney and they married in 1966 when interracial marriage was still illegal in one third of the country.

In 1968 while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Louise gave birth to her first child Craig, and in 1970 her second child Bill. The family soon relocated to Brockport, New York followed by Euclid, Ohio before moving to Cleveland Heights, Ohio in 1975 to the home the family still resides in until this day. During this transition Louise began attending Law School at Case Western Reserve University and graduated in 1978. As was her pattern of commitment to social justice and change she did not seek employment at a private law firm and instead went to serve at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. During her time at Legal Aid amongst other efforts she represented group homes and helped to establish the right for disabled residents to move into neighborhoods of choice. In 1989 Louise and Edward spent their first time professionally abroad where Louise joined the faculty of the University of Botswana. Upon their return Louise joined the Case Western Reserve University Law Clinic, continuing her work of advocacy as well as providing free legal support for those most in need. Over the next several years Louise remained connected to her work on the Continent of Africa, and in 1998 she was named as a Fulbright scholar and she taught in the student run legal clinic at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. From 1996-2000 through the African Law Initiative Clinical Partnerships Project she served as a consultant for law schools in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. In 2007 Louise was again named a Fulbright scholar and returned to Botswana and helped to upgrade the clinical education program in collaboration with the Law department. In 2012 Louise was the first female professor and first clinical professor to retire from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law and as a colleague of hers said at the time "Her time was spent as an attorney, teacher, ambassador, advocate, mentor, and friend".

Like a true activist and change agent retirement just means more time for unpaid work and Louise spent the following years serving on several Boards of Directors including the YWCA, the Deaconess Community Foundation, The Long Term Care Ombudsman of Cleveland, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and for the past several years was incredibly involved in and passionate about the work of the Greater Cleveland Congregations.

Louise was a wonderful and humble woman who lived a good life and dedicated it to her family and to social justice and making the world a better place for everyone no matter what her personal sacrifices were, and there were many. Amazingly balanced with Louise's professional accomplishments and service to others was her love and support of her family. Louise was a loving wife, and mother, who made sure her family was fed, clothed, supported, challenged, heard, empowered, and deeply loved. Louise was the rock and the conscience of the family and she will be deeply missed but greatly remembered by all that knew her, for to know her was to love her.

Surviving Family:

Louise is survived by her Husband of 58 years, Edward McKinney; sons Craig and Bill McKinney; Brother Fred Wenner and wife Fran; and several Nieces and Nephews, that she dearly loved.

Pre-Deceased:

Louise is pre-deceased by her Parents, Jerome and Pauline (Albertson) Wenner; and her Brother Bruce (surviving wife Francie).

Viewing:

Friday, March 29th, 6-8pm

Watson's Funeral Home

10913 Superior Ave

Cleveland, OH 44106

Services:

Saturday, March 30th, 11am

St John African Methodist Episcopal Church

2261 E 40th St

Cleveland, OH 44103

LiveSTREAM:stjohnamechurchcle.org/

Burial:

to Immediately Follow Services

at Cleveland Memorial Gardens

In Lieu of Flowers please send donations to:

An organization near to your heart or to

Greater Cleveland Congregations

greaterclevelandcongregations.org