Below is an obituary from Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home:
WOBURN, MA — Diana Jean (Petronzio) McKee, affectionately known as Tippy, left this earth for the arms of her Heavenly Father, on December 27, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family.
Diana was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on March 9, 1953, the daughter of the late Paul and Carol (Halverson) Petronzio. She grew up in Beverly with her two sisters, Terry and Faith, who she loved dearly and “mother-henned” until the very end.
Tippy decided at a young age to live a life of service, which began with her nursing diploma from New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She and her graduating class just celebrated their 50th reunion. She married her high school sweetheart, David, 51 years ago, and together they dedicated their lives to serving others and the Lord they love. After completing their cross-cultural ministry and linguistic training through New Tribes Mission (now, Ethnos 360), they began the hard privilege of working in Senegal, West Africa, where they lived for 30 years. Diana’s ultimate purpose in life was to share the message of her faith in Jesus Christ with everyone, particularly those who may not have heard it before. Although she regularly used her skills as a nurse in Senegal, she primarily worked with a team of linguists, developing an alphabet for an unwritten language, Balanta, and then translating the Bible into that language with her team. She believed that every person should have the opportunity to read in their first language, especially God’s Word, and she cherished the work of translation.
Upon retiring from their service in Senegal and moving to Wilmington, Massachusetts, Tippy continued her dedication to those in need by renewing her RN license and working in elder care for the past twelve years.
Although she often referred to herself as “a plain, ordinary woman,” she was extraordinary—brilliant, talented, frugal, practical, unapologetically honest, confident, compassionate, selfless. Her selflessness was rooted in her living relationship with Jesus Christ, and she was passionate about studying His Word. Tippy also loved to play the piano. Music lived in her bones, as evidenced by her tapping feet and bobbing head no matter what song was playing. She loved learning about other cultures, especially through their food, going for a bike ride with her husband, walking the beach with anyone who was willing to join, and spoiling her grand-dogs. But her favorite thing was being with her family all together.
Tippy is survived by her beloved husband, David P. McKee, Jr., her daughter Christy and grandson Shaun, her son and daughter-in-law Danny and Gaby, grandchildren Mateo, Elena, Nicolas and great-granddaughter Emilia, and her daughter and son-in-law Cheralyn and Anders Johnson.
Tippy’s love for her husband, children, and grandchildren was unconditional; “the lives of her love” she called us. She taught us the value of hard work, of family traditions, of being organized and prepared for any situation, of true commitment. We think of her mothering of us like a thick, soft, warm blanket—sometimes a bit stuffy underneath, but always comforting and completely safe. We are grateful and honored to be hers. The absence of her is a void that can never be filled.
We invite family and friends to celebrate Tippy’s life with us on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at GENESIS Community Church, 35 Olympia Ave in Woburn, MA, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Tippy to: The Homes of Ethnos360, 108 Mission Blvd, Sanford FL 32771. Donated funds should be designated for “Deacons, Non-restricted – In Memory of Tippy McKee”. Or click on this link and scroll down to “Give a Gift”.
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