Opal Marie McKechnie – December 14, 2013

McKechnie Obit PhotoOpal Marie McKechnie, 81, of Amarillo died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
Private family memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Opal was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., to Blanche and Frank Hunter. At the young age of 18, she moved to Amarillo to marry Kenneth McKechnie. They were married for 62 years at the time of his passing in February 2013.
Opal believed firmly in work before pleasure and her responsibilities to others took priority. You could count on her to take care of business and to help you attend to taking care of yours. She prided herself on a beautiful home and garden, and desired to help those she cared about have the same. She was a hard worker and would unselfishly help, never stopping until the task was done. Many untold hours were spent planning, moving, hauling, sorting, scrubbing, sanding, painting, digging, planting, weeding; anything to help make others have a more beautiful, enjoyable space in which to live. She was very creative and could turn any piece of old, used furniture into a work of art. She painted many pieces for family and friends, just for the joy of knowing she had created something beautiful for them. Never one to be idle, she was always busy cooking, crocheting, reading and learning, but her personal favorite was gardening. She taught herself, through trial and error, what and how to plant for the difficult growing conditions in Amarillo. Even in her 81st year, her gardens were spectacular, like an oasis in the desert. We are sure God has put her to tending the gardens in Heaven.
Opal was a homebody in nature, but also had a professional career that she loved. She became a registered nurse through the nursing program of Northwest Texas Hospital. She graduated at the top of her class and became head nurse on the labor and delivery floor of NWTH. She later became the office nurse at Drs. Sebel and Hollis Hands. She always said her favorite part of being a nurse was just caring for the patient. She retired from nursing when her daughters were in high school so she could spend more time with them.
Opal’s love was constant and true; and she always had her children and grandchildren in her thoughts. She was faithfully there for help and guidance, and although she many not tell you what you wanted to hear, she always had your best interest at heart.
We are so blessed to have had such a wonderful and caring mother, grandmother and friend. She will be sorely missed here on Earth.
Survivors include her oldest daughter, Karen George and husband Tom, a very special son-in-law; her youngest daughter, Robin Moran; her beloved grandchildren, Hunter George and wife Jeannie, Tanner George, Chloe’ Moran, McKay and Derek Porterfield; her first great-grandchild, Hazel Mae Porterfield; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Isgrigs and her children, Pam Buffington and husband Gary, Mike Isgrigs and wife Rhoda and Dr. Cindy Hutson and husband Pat. Her surviving family of St. Louis includes a sister, June LaBoube, two nephews, David and Jimmy Race; a niece, Rebecca Rode; and a great-niece, Amanda Ralston.

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