Della Irene MacKearney

Della Irene MacKearney, 36, passed away on March 23, 2025, at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, OK, following a medical emergency earlier in the week. Della was a loving daughter, persistent little sister, fun and caring aunt, and kind, gracious friend to those around her. She always sought out opportunities to get to know people and to love them where they were. Her presence will be deeply missed. Della was born on June 15, 1988, in Albuquerque, NM, to Roderick James MacKearney Jr. and Dolores Dianne Snook. She was the youngest of three children, with her two older brothers, Brad and Jim, leading the way. Della spent much of her life moving between Wyoming and Oklahoma, eventually graduating from Owasso High School in 2007. There she participated in the Honors Choir and did all she could to learn whatever she possibly could, even receiving her accreditation as a courtroom reporter. For those who did not know Della, they often saw a pleasant young woman who happened to be blind. For those who knew here, however, she was known as someone wanting to try and do anything anyone else would do, even at one point attempting to park the family truck in its place. Which, according to how the story is told, she was able to successfully complete without as much as a scratch on the vehicle. She would take on tasks like riding a bike or woodworking with amazing resilience and courage. In her woodworking era, Dolores would find Della working in the woodshop with all of the lights out, turning pens on the lathe or cutting out braille blocks for children. In addition to the aforementioned hobbies, Della found a great passion in sewing, baking, playing games, and singing. It was the singing that would eventually take her to forming her music group with her first husband, Michael, Hits and Giggles. Della loved playing games with her family. Some of her favorites were Cribbage and Yatzy. Her nieces and nephews often accused her of cheating when she was winning. This was only true some of the time. She loved playing with them and treasured those interactions. In life, Della experienced many physical and emotional trials, all of which she met head on with full faith in her Savior and in His plan. As a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Della believed strongly in the atonement of Jesus Christ and of his redeeming and saving power. It was this faith that helped navigate the loss of her father when she was a young child. It helped her learn to forgive and maintain relationships with others throughout her life. While impaired visually in the physical world, Della often saw much clearer and understand far more in the spiritual one. She was a light in a dark place for many and we all consider it a blessing to have known her. In death, she was preceded by her dear father, Roderick James MacKearney Jr. Della is survived by her mother and best friend, Dolores; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Brad and Stacey and Jim and Traci; her niece and nephews: Sarah (Chance), Brendon, Christopher, Ethan (Shawna), and Logan; and her great-nieces and great-nephews: Elizabeth, Emilia, Lainey, Bodi, Larry, and Colt.

Della Irene MacKearney

June 15, 1988 - March 23, 2025