Brooke Nicole McKinley

Brooke Nicole McKinley, age 41, from New Albany, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident in Washington County, Indiana, on August 29th, 2026.

Brooke was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended Grant Line Elementary, Scribner Middle School, Prosser Vocational School, and graduated from New Albany High School. Brooke attended Ivy Tech after high school, majoring in graphic arts and design.

Brooke was a vibrant artist who brought something truly unique and magical to everything she did. She found beauty and wonder in the world around her, especially through the lens of her camera. She noticed details other might have missed. She was an avid rock and crystal collector, and loved her cabochon machines she used to polish stones to create hand-made jewelry for her small business, Rubie Rocks. She was a talented mural artist.

Brooke was a hard worker. She loved working with her father for many years at Mac’s Hideaway. She also worked in the printing industry at VG Reid and Vivid Technologies, and was currently serving as a recovery counselor at Sunrise Men’s Recovery in Clarksville, IN; a job she had great passion for.

Brooke was resilient. Her life was challenging. She struggled with ADD, toxic relationships, bullies, and addiction at a young age and into adulthood.

Brooke's recovery process began at The Women's Healing Place in 2017, of which she is an alumni. She celebrated nine years clean and sober in March 2026, which she was so grateful for. Life did not get easier after getting sober, but she persevered and never gave up. She stayed.

Her creativity was matched only by her profound empathy. Her heart was so big; she saw into the hearts of others. Her smile and open arms greeted many others who needed a place without judgement. She loved big, even when people didn’t return that love, or accept her. She forgave them anyway and moved on with her own life. She had great passion for her role as a recovery counselor, working to guide others into sobriety. She truly made a difference in the world, one day at a time.

Above all else, Brooke’s greatest joy was her family. She loved her 3 children fiercely, and was so grateful sobriety had helped her be a great mom. She cherished her sisters and parents. She loved her black cat, Fury.

Her magical spirit, kindness, and artistic heart will be missed by all who knew her.

Brooke is survived by her beloved children, Damion Halak, Noah Tomes, and Rubie Roberts; her parents Dan McKinley (Gina Borden) and Connie McKinley; her sisters, Kelly Wilmoth (Jeff), Danielle McKinley, and Paige Rodewig (Steven); niece Laylin Wilmoth, and nephews Elijah Khan (Regan Colglazier), Hayden Kime, Gaige Patterson, James Rodewig, Jaxon Velez, and Myles McKinley. She also loved her borrowed children, Edith Roberts and Jessie Ford.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Thomas “Tom” and Rubie Mae Markland, and Homer Frederick “Fred” and Norma McKinley.

A visitation will be held on September 10th, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, IN), and again on September 11th from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the same location. A celebration of Brooke’s life and her magical spirit will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11th, 2026.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Newcomer Funeral Home for funeral expenses.