The funeral of Trish McKay was held at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland today. McKay was killed in a robbery in the California town of Newport Beach. Photo / Alex Burton
The funeral of Trish McKay was held at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland today. McKay was killed in a robbery in the California town of Newport Beach. Photo / Alex Burton
New Zealand woman Trish McKay was killed in an attempted robbery gone wrong in a popular California shopping district.
Her funeral is being held in Auckland this afternoon, followed by a wake at Eden Park.
Family and friends have paid tribute to the much-loved wife, mother and grandmother.
Patricia (Trish) McKay, 68, and her husband, Doug McKay, former chairman of the BNZ board, were visiting family in the US when two men accosted them at the Newport Beach mall on July 2. She died after being struck by a car driven by one of the alleged offenders.
Doug McKay spoke of the violent incident that led to his wife’s death, their long marriage and Patricia McKay’s optimism, her kindness, laughter and the love she showed those she met.
“Trish’s life was tragically stolen from us ... but there is much to celebrate, she was the love of my life. Her death was traumatic, as you can imagine. My way to cope with this unjust and heinous event is to celebrate the 50 years I had with her,” Doug McKay said.
Patricia McKay’s funeral was held at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph in central Auckland at 2pm today. A wake followed at Eden Park, where Doug McKay previously served as chairman for eight years.
Every pew inside the cathedral was occupied by mourners and well-wishers, among them the Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson and her husband, businessman and former politician Peter Goodfellow.
The celebrants for the service were Monsignor Bernard Kiely, Bishop Patrick Dunn and Father Stephen Berecz. Father Kiely began the service: “Never would we have imagined we would be standing here just a few weeks ago.”
The processional song was Ave Maria, with McKay’s coffin carried in by pallbearers who included her sons Matthew McKay, Sam McKay and Wyatt McKay. The organist for the service was Nicholas Forbes, and opera singer Elizabeth Sayegh sang as a soloist.
Funeral of Trish McKay at the Cathedral of St Patricks and St Joseph in Auckland. McKay was killed in a robbery in the California town of Newport Beach. Photo / Alex Burton
Doug McKay said: “The outpouring of grief and love for her has been overwhelming, but not surprising.”
He thanked the agencies that supported him bringing his wife’s body back to New Zealand and for the help during “those lonely days”.
Matthew McKay remembered his mother as someone committed to her family, her friends, and her children. He said his mother taught him and his brothers the skills they have and described her personality as vibrant and energising.
“Any progress we [sons] made was through my mother’s drive, commitment and support,” he said.
“I will always remember ‘Patricia’s house of positivity’. She supported everyone without judgement. Mum built special relationships. Mum’s support of me and my brothers was unwavering. She fostered a legacy of family and friends.
Trish Mckay, pictured with husband Doug.
“Mum, we have your example to live by, and we love you.”
Sam McKay spoke of the final moments of his mother’s life in California, as well as her love for her grandchildren.
“Even in her final days in California, we had a great day with the kids enjoying the beach. It’s hard to believe something so awful could happen when we were in such good spirits. Somehow, we must find a way to carry on without her, which will not be easy,” he said.
Wyatt Mckay compared his mother to That 70s Show character Kitty Forman, and spoke of the strong relationship she had with her husband and the love she showed to her son’s partners.
“They made a formidable couple. It’s safe to say she had a PhD in mother-in-law duties.”
The processional song was Ave Maria, with McKay’s coffin carried in by pallbearers who included her sons Matthew McKay, Sam McKay and Wyatt McKay. Photo / Alex Burton
He said there were two lessons in particular he had learned from his mother, the importance of having a trusted partner and the value of establishing a strong family base. He talked about how she made her children’s homes their havens.
“We are deeply thankful for the love she showered upon us,” he said.
“I cannot believe you’re gone, mum. I hope to carry forward just a fraction of your generosity and kindness every day. I miss you, mum, and I hope to make you proud.”
Friend Anjila Sharma reminisced on the weekly walks they shared in Cornwall Park and the comfort McKay offered others.
Psalm 23, The Lord’s my shepherd,was sung, and the readings came from 2 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5 for the Gospel.
Widower Doug McKay spoke of the violent incident which led to his wife’s death, their long marriage and Patricia McKay’s optimism, her kindness, laughter and the love she showed those she met. Photo / Alex Burton
McKay’s death notice described her as a “beloved wife” for 47 years, a “devoted mother” and a “cherished grandmother”.
One of the men then attacked his wife, throwing her to the ground and dragging her into the street, into the path of the getaway car.
Floral tributes were laid for Trish McKay outside the California mall. Photo / X
“McKay’s husband jumped in front of the vehicle trying to stop his wife from being run over,” said Spitzer.
It is claimed the alleged driver, Leroy McCrary, 26, then accelerated, bumping Doug McKay out of the way.
He allegedly ran over Patricia McKay and dragged her body about 20 metres.
A local man tackled a second suspect – 18-year-old Jayden Cunningham – but was allegedly shot at from the getaway car by a third man identified as Malachi Darnell, also 18.
Spitzer said Cunningham was arrested after “bailing out of the vehicle” and McCrary and Darnell were arrested after a police chase.
All three have been charged with special circumstances murder and were being held without bail.
The scene at Newport Beach, California, where Kiwi tourist Patricia McKay died as she fought back against her armed attackers before being run down by a car.
The charge included the felony enhancement of causing the death of an elder over 65.
The men also face other charges including attempted murder, attempted robbery, use and discharge of a firearm and evading while driving recklessly.
In a statement after the incident, the McKay family expressed their “deep gratitude” for the support they had received since the death of the wife and mother.
“In particular, teams from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand Embassy in Washington and the office of Consulate General in Los Angeles have been extraordinary in the work they are doing helping our family, including liaising with state and federal authorities in the US.
“Thanks to this heartfelt and expert support, along with the excellent work of all the US authorities including the team from Orange County, and especially Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill, great progress is being made to return Trish to New Zealand and we hope to have her home within the next week.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
