Passing of our dear friend, GYPSY ROSE MCKEE

November 4, 2013

By Penny Watne

There are a couple of notes at the end of the theme music for the BBC program, Downton Abbey. These notes are unexpected, yet beautiful, and capture your attention. While the listener would have been content to peacefully sail along to the end of the piece, the writer chose instead to challenge the listener. With the passing of our dear friend Gypsy Rose McKee (formerly Eddie McKee,) I was reminded of how those two notes affect me every time I hear to that music. Gypsy’s passing was, like those notes, unexpected, as she was taken from us suddenly from natural causes in late September, but more than that, Gypsy was unexpected and that drew people to her. She exhibited what it was to be truly accepting, compassionate, loving and forgiving. She could sense when someone needed a friend to listen and there was no better listener than Gypsy. She was always patient and truly interested. Her grace and wisdom grew from her surviving a past filled with both unusual challenges and exhilarating joys. She thought always of others and was willing to give, even in times of personal struggle. The entire community misses her.

Gypsy recently celebrated her birthday on September 15, and because a lady never tells her age, should best be described as “ageless.” Eddie McKee served as a priest in Bolivia for approximately 20 years and worked at The Betty Ford Clinic before ultimately moving to Quepos. Throughout her years in the area, Gypsy tirelessly volunteered for the recovery community, HIV-AIDS community, the local elderly and countless others in need. Time spent with Gypsy was a gift and one always walked away from that precious time with her, knowing just that.