Illela Maud Rae (Massey) McKinlay passed peacefully away on March 9, 2012 at her home in Teton City, Idaho surrounded by her loving family. She recently celebrated her 81st birthday with her children.

Born on February 9, 1931, she was the 11th child born to George Ova Massey and Elizabeth Maud (Orgill) Massey in Vernal, Utah. They were pioneer stock from England.

Growing up on a ranch, Illela was a happy girl who worked hard milking cows and helping her parents alongside her siblings. She graduated from Uintah High School also in Vernal, Utah. Crowned with long, thick, lovely hair, Illela loved to dance and was often the belle of the ball in high school.

Illela met handsome Gordon A. McKinlay Sr. from Teton City, Idaho in 1949 after he returned from the army. He was a Scottish descendant of a founding father sent by Brigham Young to Teton. They were married on May 8, 1950 in Dillon, Montana. Their greatest blessings were their 5 children. They lived in Dillon and managed a ranch in Armstead, Montana. Next they moved to Vernal, then Roosevelt, Utah. Then while living in Los Angeles, California he was a heavy equipment operator while she worked at the Latchford Glass Company with her sister Arthella, before putting down roots in Teton City, Idaho beginning in 1966. Gordon was killed in an auto accident in 1980.

Illela worked at area warehouses and the school lunch program as she sacrificed much to raise her family she loved dearly. Her elderly mother and then her neighbor, Clara Harries, were served well by Illela even while working with a busy family.
Illela loved to shop and took time to include her friends who were not able to drive so they too could go to town. She and her sister and friends often packed a picnic and took their children to the beach while living in Los Angeles. The Billenslys were their lasting friends from that neighborhood. She was a true friend to many who knew her as "Lee." She always packed an extra-large lunch so she could share with others at work.

Illela was affectionately known as "Granny" to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone loved her mouth-watering pancakes and she enjoyed cooking until her health began failing. Her special recipes still live on in her family's kitchens.

Preceding Illela in death were her husband, her parents, and 7 siblings.
She is survived by her children, all of Idaho: Sherry Lynn (Bill) Miller of Rexburg; Gordon A. (Wendy) McKinlay Jr. of Rigby; Tamara Elizabeth Parkinson of Rexburg; Joy Yvonne (Lane) Peterson of Rigby; and Tina Rae Hymas of Rexburg; 20 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren and her siblings; Valda Massey, Floyd Massey and Golda Carroll all of Vernal, Utah.

Dear mom, may you enjoy your heavenly home, cherished family to greet you there, and your sweet, eternal reward.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Teton LDS church with Bishop Blair Poulsen officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery.