A life cut too short, McKay Ann Yancey Gerdes, passed through the veil on August 19, 2023 to be greeted by her Granny, M. Janet Cange, her Pa, J. LeRoy Cange, her Grandpa, LeRoy D. Yancey, her uncle, Clifton C. Cange and favorite teacher, Dorothy Good Olson. She bravely battled a lengthy illness of Gastric Antral Vascular Extasia (GAVE Syndrome) while managing Type I Diabetes beautifully. The ravages of other connected conditions were just too much for her small body in the end. As her Pa would often say, "Life isn't fair." It certainly wasn't fair for our family-loving, intelligent, creative, and giving daughter, sister, wife, cousin, niece, and friend.

McKay was born and died in Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, St Louis County, Missouri, commonly known as the 'Palace on Ballas'. Both sets of staff, the ones that helped her come into this world with difficulty, and the ones that tried so hard to fix her needs during the last five days of her life, were absolutely amazing and so gracious.

McKay was the oldest of three children of Quinn and Amanda (Cange) Yancey. Nothing pleased her more than teasing her brothers, Cole and Hayden, about whatever it was that they were wearing, entertaining them with a good story, whether it be true or fantasy, and putting thought into various gifts that she hoped they would enjoy. Not having sisters, she loved it when Cole married Sarah LaReaux, and was very much looking forward to Hayden's upcoming wedding to Anne Cawley. On June 4, 2022, McKay married Benjamin D. Gerdes, son of Mark and Nancy (Wheat) Gerdes, in a select backyard ceremony that she described as the best day of her life. With that union, she gained another sister and brother, Amanda (Gerdes) and Adam Durham. As McKay and Ben decided that it would be too hard on McKay to bring a child into this world, she relished in the fact that she was an aunt to Carter Quinn Yancey and Reagan Durham.

McKay graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Class of 2006 where her favorite activity was the debate team. She then went on to earn a BA in Economics at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts where she was the President of College Republicans. McKay was a patriot thru-and-thru. She loved this country and all the freedoms it grants. Some of her jobs included working at the STL Regional Chamber, helping to make the St Louis Region a better place to live. She also worked for Child Center Marygrove where she helped children, who are wards of the state, try to have a better future. Additionally, she was employed by The Blessing Basket Project, where she helped women become self-sufficient through entrepreneurship in seven disadvantaged countries across three continents. Her true love was found when Sam Manissi and Diane Weisler took her under their wings and taught her the ins-and-outs of the fine jewelry industry. She was in her element! McKay earned several certifications working towards her Graduate Gemologist Program.

Creativity was part of everything McKay embodied. She was creative in her speech, how she viewed the world, and the things she produced with her hands. Being very detailed, McKay's mastery of all things computer-related was unparalleled. She produced beautiful graphics that were often enhanced by her commanding use of language. Her paperwork such as quilling and handcut-originals were of a professional level. Her wool-felted animals have a realism about them. Crafting was just part of her heart.

McKay was born a leader. She fought for the underdog. Her intellect, cleverness, and charm were surpassed by few. She was always ready with a fun fact, the news of the day, or a story that would leave everyone laughing. She was detailed and rarely forgot anything. She loved mail and her postcard messages traveled world-wide. Her volunteer work included working with the Girl Scouts, academic tutoring, and helping with the St Louis Pen Club. She will be missed by many as her light on this earth has been dimmed.

A funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10445 Clayton Rd, Frontenac, Missouri on Wednesday, August 23rd at 10:00 am. An opportunity to meet with family will take place an hour before. Burial will follow at the Buck Road Cemetery in Maryville, Illinois. Memorials of Remembrance may be sent to Benjamin Gerdes, 3405 Brown Rd, St Louis, MO 63114 to help cover McKay's large medical expenses.