Amy McKinley McCracken passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 5, 2026.
Amy was born November 23,1958 in Hingham, Massachusetts, the youngest of six children (siblings David, Drew, Jennifer, Kathleen, and Timothy). During her childhood, her family moved to Bedford, New York, where Amy developed a deep and lifelong love of horses—an early expression of the curiosity, freedom, and connection that would define her life. In her teens, Amy moved to Florida where she attended Rosarian Academy and Florida Atlantic University.
While in Florida Amy began her studies in the healing arts, where she worked as a Hoshino therapist and developed a strong interest in Buddhism. In 1980 Amy and Richard McCracken were married and raised their two children, Pearson and Kinley in Delray Beach, Florida, later moving the family back to Amy’s childhood town of Bedford, NY in 1997. In 2013, Amy and her family moved to Cotuit, MA.
Amy had a passion for travel and a wide, open heart for the world. She was especially drawn to Uruguay, Tibet and India, places that held deep meaning for her and reflected her spiritual and humanitarian commitments. A devout Tibetan Buddhist, Amy dedicated many years to study and learning, immersing herself fully in the teachings and practices that guided her life with compassion, generosity, and mindfulness.
One of Amy’s greatest legacies was her service to others. Through Help Tibetan Nuns, her nonprofit, she helped fund education, medical care, and essential resources for Tibetan Buddhist women in India, Tibet, and Bhutan. Her work was quiet but powerful, rooted in deep respect and a genuine desire to ease suffering wherever she could.
Above all else, Amy loved her family. She shared 45 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Rick, and was a proud and loving mother of two. She was also a deeply cherished grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, whom she loved beyond measure. Nothing brought her more joy than time spent with friends and family—laughing, connecting, and simply being together. Amy is survived by her loving husband (Rick), her son (Pearson and his wife Kirsten), her daughter (Kinley and her husband Cameron), her four grandchildren, her sister Kathleen and brothers David and Drew, her cousins and in laws and nieces and nephews, and so many dear friends.
Amy will be remembered for her kindness, spiritual devotion, fun loving spirit, love of adventure, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Her presence was grounding, her generosity boundless, and her love enduring.
To honor Amy’s Buddhist faith, there are 4 monasteries close to Amy’s heart that are completing prayer ceremonies for her over the next few weeks; KTD in Woodstock, NY, Thrangu Nunnery in Tibet, and by Galtsup Rinpoche and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche in Sikkim, India.
During Amy’s passing and for 49 days following, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries around the world have been conducting daily prayers. Her journey is being supported by some of the most learned and high Buddhist monastics and practitioners.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Cape Cod, MA during the Spring. The date and venue to be determined.
For those wishing to honor Amy’s unwavering commitment to helping others, a donation could be directed to Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery (KTD) at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Donate Here