Josephine Swint McKinney
Josephine “Jo” S. McKinney, 71, went to be with the Lord after a long illness May 9, 2026 on her houseboat in Key West, FL with her beloved husband Michael Gavito at her side.
She was born on October 31, 1954 in Houston, TX and spent her childhood years in Houston & Little Rock, AR prior to the family moving to Cass County, TX and settling on Crooked Creek Ranch outside of Atlanta, TX. She graduated from Atlanta High School in 1972 and earned her bachelors and a master’s degree in Education from Steven F. Austin University.
After numerous years working as a professional counselor in TX, she decided to move to Colorado and transition away from her counseling profession.
She loved being outdoors, so she saw the beautiful mountains of Colorado as a wonderful place for new adventures and a new beginning. It was there that she met her husband of almost 40 years and found her soulmate. They both dreamed of becoming their own bosses and business owners so in 1986, they started a computer services company in Denver, CO.
Jo’s dream though was to open a coffee shop, so in 1993 they left the big city to open a lovely coffee shop and restaurant in Ouray, CO located near the resort area of Telluride in the Colorado mountains.
In 2003, after years of success, they decided to trade in the cold CO mountains for warmer climates and beaches, so they sold out and moved to Key West, FL where they started a boat services company that allowed them to enjoy sailing, diving, and the “island” life, even living on a sailboat for years. Jo loved sailing, scuba diving, traveling, adventures, reading and just hanging out with Michael, family, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Tom & Julia McKinney, stepson Chris Gavito, and brother-in-law John McKenzie.
She is survived by brother Brian McKinney and nieces Brianna & Lauren, sister Judy McKinney and nephew Jamie Fields, brother Keith McKinney & sister-in-law Teresa.
Private celebrations of her life will be held in the future with family and close friends.