12/01/1948 – 6/15/2026
Denise “Dee” McKEE, nee Robbins, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Monday, June 15, 2026, in her home in Austintown, Ohio, surrounded by her family after an extended illness. Dee was born in Wellsville, NY on December 1, 1948, the oldest child of the late Earl C. and Patricia Perrin Robbins. She grew up on Robbins Court in the midst of an amazing extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins that only a large family in a small town could provide.
A 1966 graduate of Wellsville High School, she earned an associate’s degree in education from Corning Community College in 1968. She attended SUNY Oswego for a year. On November 1,1969, she married Michael J. McKee and relocated to Youngstown Ohio. In 1973, she completed her education, graduating from YSU with a BA in Education. She worked part time as a Reading/Teacher Aidw in the Girard School System in the 80’s.
During many trips to Virginia, Dee loved watching her granddaughters grow up from infants to beautiful, talented young women. She looked forward to the annual Wellsville High School Alumni class reunion until her health could not support the travel. She continued to stay in touch with friends and family. She was an excellent cook, and her passion was caring for her family.
Surviving are: her husband of 57 years, Michael McKee of Youngstown; son, William (Karina) McKee of Broadlands, VA; granddaughters, Megan and Kate of Broadlands, VA; and a brother, John (Dean) Robbins of Palmyra, NY.
She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Debra Robbins; and brother-in-law Edward Lancer.
A gathering to celebrate Dee’s life will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Burial will be in North Bingham Cemetery in North Bingham, PA, by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Scott Tofil who patiently provided Dee with excellent care for many years and to Patriot Hospice Care for providing comfort and dignity in her final days.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
