Mum's Life Sketch

Barbara Pearl McKinley was born at home on the 2nd of January, 1941 in Port Arthur, Texas to Ira Lee and Julia (Boyd) McKinley, the middle of three children.
Her mother was a faithful woman and after prayerful seeking, chose to raise her family in the Baptist Church. Barbara remembers her mother kneeling in front of a church while she was searching and praying “is Jesus here?” She remembers enjoying church very much.
Barbara grew up an excellent student and good athlete. She lettered in basketball, softball, volleyball, badminton, performed in the school Drum and Bugle Corp. and was a straight “A” student in high school. Her college years began at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas studying to become a teacher. Upon completing her degree, she began her teaching career seeking adventure in Fairbanks, Alaska, returning to work in Port Arthur after two years away. During this time she also began work on a Masters Degree.
While teaching in Port Arthur, a young man introduced her to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Barbara knew it was true as soon as she heard the first discussion from the missionaries.  She was baptized August 15, 1963. Barbara decided to go to Salt Lake where she could meet some young people in the Church and to learn more about her new faith.  She was hired by the Salt Lake School District for the 1964 school year.
After teaching a year in Salt Lake District Barbara went home to Port Arthur in the summer to finish her Master's Degree at Lamar University.  When she returned to Salt Lake City, she moved into the same building as a handsome young man from New Zealand named Barney Wihongi and attended the same Ward.  After hearing Barney teach in a church class, she decided to ask him to go on a date before other girls in the class could.  It was only about 2 weeks later when they knew, they would get married. Barney sang Maori songs to Barbara while playing his ukulele.  He sang them so many times; Barbara learned all the words to "Hoki Mai", "Tahine", and "Pokarekare Ana." Two months later, having very little family in Salt Lake, Barney and Barbara eloped to Las Vegas on the 29th of December 1965. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, on the 28th of October, 1966.
They bought a home in the avenues area of Salt Lake City, while Barney started on his graduate work at the University of Utah in the evenings.
After 4 years of working and no children, their first child Shaun came into their lives in 1969 and everything changed. Over the next 6 years they would have four more sons – Jody, Jason, Jared, and Scott.
Barbara quit teaching in 1970 when Jody was born and was only making a little money babysitting.  They barely qualified for the new home, which they built in Midvale in 1972.
In 1975 the now Dr. Barney Wihongi was appointed the principal of the LDS High School - Church College of New Zealand in his homeland of New Zealand and the family moved there to live the next 13 years. The LDS community of Temple View was a wonderful place to live, grow, and raise children. It was difficult being so far from her parents, but the people of New Zealand embraced her like one of their own. Barbara made many life-long friends there who came to love and respect her for the kindness, openness, and the dignity with which she carried herself.
In 1981 they received a baby girl, Tania, to complete their family
On April 4th, 1983 Barney passed away from colon cancer, leaving Barbara a widow with six children ages 15 to 2. The community rallied around her and family with much love and support. Barbara resumed teaching, and the family eventually decided to move back to Utah in 1987, buying a home in the city of Sandy – close to several of Barney’s sisters and their families. Barbara renewed her Utah teaching certificate and began teaching in an elementary school for the next 15 years, in order to support her family as a widowed mother, until she was able to retire in 2003. She watched with pride as each of her 5 son’s served honorable missions, and each child married someone who brought great value to their family. She found great joy in the grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren that came into her life, and was deeply loved by them all.
 She lived with her son Jody and his family in Sandy until 2010, then moving to Taylorsville to live with another son Scott and his family for the duration of her life.
Barbara spent her retirement years doing genealogy, and temple work, supporting her family, and serving others. She was a devoted and faithful member of her church serving in many callings during her lifetime, including Relief Society President, Primary President, and Temple Ordinance Worker, among many others.
Barbara is loved, respected, and admired by all who who have known her. She is legendary for her quiet strength, her kindness, her ability to only see the good in others, and her simple but unshakeable faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Barbara is survived by her brother Paul, her six children and their spouses, 30 grandchildren and three of their spouses, as well as 2 great-grandchildren with one more on the way, leaving a legacy of unconditional love and strength for her family to continue. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Barney, her goodly parents, and her brother Danny.

September - Mina's 18th, Jason's 46th Birthdays

Scripture of the Month: John 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

9/10/17

Hi Son,

Not going to tell you about our vacation looks like the kids have it covered! It was fun and too short though. I need to send your debit card this week and you haven’t told me if you needed anything? Do you still get acne, cause I can send you what i bought for Mina for her bday, which is a light pen that helps with acne, seems to work? Let me know if you need one I’ll send you one! We are all good back to school and work now…. Grandma is at home, doing ok I think. My mum was in the hospital aswell for pneumonia. Are you affected by the hurricanes at all?
Take care we love you, Mum & Dad xxx

Hello Tyrell,

I hope you had a great week! I had a great week! Last Sunday, we drove to Las Vegas and stayed for the night. For dinner, it was a big buffet, after dinner, we went to New York New York, and Jaxon, Mina, and I went on a fun rollercoaster called The Big Apple. The next day, we went to California, and went to the beach. Tuesday, we went to that place where I got pooped on by a bird, and where we got our koala Ty Beanie Boo. We found 3 new Ty Beanie Boo’s there! Their was a lemur, a flamingo, and a spider with 6 legs and 2 bodies, like a normal spider except the 6 legs part. I’m telling you this about the spider because we already have a spider, but it’s only a ball with 8 legs. After we went to that place, we went to Disneyland, and went on all those rides, but I don’t have to tell you which because I can’t remember all of them. Erana and I played some booth games and won some prizes. Next, we went to California Adventures on Wednesday. We went in Cars Land, the place that opened after leaving California, 5 years ago… We only went on 1 ride because the rest of their rides were just spinning ones. The one we went on was very fun. There was a new ride in California Adventures which was a Guardians of the Galaxy one, it was a very fun ride that we all wanted to go on it again, but we didn’t want to stand in line again (you know how we are.) I don’t want to tell you about the ride because you might go on it in the future. There were other rides went on, then we watched a Frozen play. At the end of the day, mom, Jaxon, and Erana went on the Guardians of the Galaxy one again, while Mina, dad, and I watched a beautiful water show, but then left early to the hotel because our legs were killing us. Mina’s birthday, we went to Disneyland again. After Disneyland, we went to a Chinese buffet for dinner, we were so full. The last day, we went to a Hotel 3 hours away from Las Vegas. It was a very nice hotel since it was new. Erana and I love our hotel room because they had super soft blankets, and there were bunkbeds. They weren’t really bunkbeds, they were tall bed by each other, and 3 small beds underneath. Yesterday, we went to the cheese factory and had yummy icecream, then came back home. Today was a normal Sunday, but I was glad we came back in time for church. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell me and Mom and Dad Leila Jaxon and mina went to Las vages.Mom and Dad Leila Jaxon and Mina went to California.Mom and Dad Leila Jaxon and Mina went to DisnyLand.
Love erana xoxoxo.

Hi Tyrell,

On Sunday, we left after sacrament to go home so that we can get ready to go on our vacation to Disneyland. First we drove to Las Vegas to sleep in a hotel. We walked around Las Vegas for a bit. We ate at a buffet that their food wasn’t really that good but their desserts were awesome. They had passion fruit ice cream. I went on the New York New York rollercoaster with Mina and Leila. On Monday we drove to California to our next hotel and we went to the beach. On Tuesday we went to Disneyland. We basically went on all the rides except Space Mountain and the Haunted House because they were closed. On Wednesday we went to California Adventure. My favorite rides at California Adventure was Guardians of the Galaxy Breakout ride and California Screamin’ ride. On Thursday we celebrated Mina’s Birthday. We just went to Disneyland again and did all the rides except the ones that were closed. Then after Disneyland we went to a buffet that was so delicious, but their desserts were lame. Then on Friday we drove to our other hotel in Mesquite. The room had bunk beds. Then on Saturday we came back home but everyone was sad that vacation was over. Me and Mina have to catch up on school work. Mom said that when you came to Disneyland when you were little, you said, “My body doesn’t want to leave this place.”
Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hey Big Bro!!! Guess what?! I’m 18!!And still never kissed a boy!! And I’m getting braces on Tuesday. I’m pretty sure everyone has told you about our vacation. My favorite part was riding on the new Car’s land ride and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was really fun and I wish you were there! I heard that the Hurricane will be near South Carolina, and I thought that you would love it because of the rain. Oh and also the whole time while we were at California, I ate corn on the cob everyday haha, it was so good. I can’t wait to hear from you! I visited Grandma by myself today, she says she is getting better. I told her about my AP Psychology class and she told me a story  about her sleeping in the psychology class in college. The professor caught her and tried to use hypnosis on her so she’ll never fall asleep in that class again haha. I love you Tyrell and wish you the best!!!
Mina xxx

9/17/17

Hi Son,

Today is mine and Dad’s Anniversary we’ve been happily married for 23years now. We didn’t do anything just went to Church. Yesterday went out to Lunch with Ollie Wolferstan and his Wife and daughter Sofia, they shouted us to Dim Sum House which was really yummy, will have to take you there when you’re home. Your package I mailed it on Friday, not sure when you’ll get it, just look out for it. It has your new debit card in it (you have to activate it) and not sure if I put your $50 from Suresa Tafua in the envelope as well? Let me know if its in there! As a point of interest we learnt about a sign in Revelation 12:1-2 could be happening this Saturday, Dad came across it on Youtube. Well nothing much going on just back and school and church. We love you and know you are doing good. Love Mum & Dad xxx

Hi Tyrell, 

We had hot chocolate with ice-cream for Sunday dessert. We did at the fair watching the Lumber Jack show and we saw a show with a majic guy. At the fair we brought home fried oreos. Love Erana xoxo

Hello Tyrell, 

I hope you had a great week! I went to the County fair and watched the Lumber Jack show and ate fried ice-cream. Saturday we went to the neighborhood ward party we also played at Kage and Drays house. We had dinner outside today because Mum was making Harry Potter wants at the table. And watched family movies of going to Disneyland. I hope you have a great week stay safe. I love you, Leila xoxo

Hi Tyrell,

Didn’t do that much this week. I go to school, do any homework I bring home, and then I play my games. I’ve got 19 subscribers on my youtube channel. I’m going to get a ps4 camera so that I can have a facecam in my youtube videos. We went to a neighborhood/Ward party at Sister Diana Parker's backyard. All they had was sloppy Joe and salad. Dad’s going to buy a machine that gives off a light that kills cancer germs for Grandma. Grandma Pocha might have asthma. That’s all I can think of so hope you have a great week. Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hey Big Bro,

My top braces are orange, my bottom braces are baby blue. So far my teeth aren’t the problem, it’s the inside of my cheeks and lips. My lips keep scraping and are getting caught on the braces and it is also scraping a hole in my cheeks. I’m getting used to it though. Jaxon says I look really different. My friends make fun of the way I talk because my lips are perked out haha. I got asked to homecoming with pizza by a boy named Hunter Thaxton. He is a small chubby-ish boy who rides a huge truck and a motorcycle haha he is so funny and I call him Barney because that’s what Mr. Woolley called him. I’m taking AP Psychology and that’s stressing me out and I also have to plan for the Homecoming assembly in a month. Argh.. I went on a double date yesterday and it was fun. We went to Desert Star which is a musical theater place. Julia performed their once. I saw a spoof of Wicked called Wicked-er. It was funny and had donald trump in it. Then we went to my date’s house and talked on his roof with the other couple. Hope you’re safe. Love you - Mina

9/24/17

Hi Son,
It turned cold and rainy this week. It should get better weather this next week. Not a whole lot going on. I’ll be 46 this coming Friday. Getting old. I went out with the missionaries to teach the Plan of Salvation to a non-member lady in our ward. She wants to be baptized but she is living unmarried with her fiance and will need to get married or live separately. Braden Fox taught the lesson in elders quorum. He’s having his turns just like you did before he goes on his mission in December. He did a good job. Hope all is going well with your work. Continue faithfully and all will work out how it is supposed to. Love you and so proud of you. Dad and Mum xxx

Hi Tyrell,
Not much happened this week so this will be short. Midterms was this Friday and I have good grades. I have A’s and B’s. I went to my first bagpipe lesson on tuesday. The bagpipes only have 9 notes. I had to babysit Ariki and Alessandra on Saturday. Next week is General Conference. Hope you have a wonderful week. Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hello Tyrell,
I hope you had a great week. I got my braces last Friday! Went to Classic Fun Center on Wednesday because Erana and I went with mom to Young Women’s. I forgot the other things…. Oops. Well I did play with Kage and Dray this weekend and went to the store. I hope you have a great week, I love you! Bye!
Love, Leila

Hi Tyrell,
 I went to Kage and Drays house and we went to a store and we went to Macys to get ice cream. And me and Leila went to Young Womens with mom to the fun classic skating place but it was not fun to roller skate. And Leila got her braces and it hurted. Love Erana xoxo

Hey Big Bro!
So this week, I had two tennis games. I won one, then lost the other. I went to a football at West Jordan with a friend named Jessie. Afterwards, we came to my house and he just played all the instruments in the house haha. The next day, I went to a Dance Co. show performance. It was cool i guess, then watched Hercules at Kristian’s with Julie and Jessie. Nothing much is happening. I’m calmly panicking inside about many things; homework, tennis, homecoming assembly, grades. AGH. but the past two days, we had nonstop rain and a cloudy sky. It’s getting chilly, I love it! I hope your doing fine, and North Carolina is treating you well. I love you -Mina

 Minas Braces!