[1][2][3] Her father, Louis Kinnear, was well-known lawyer who practiced in Port Colborne and Welland County.

[5] Afterward she attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar, to become a lawyer, in 1920.

[2][5] In 1941, after two previous failed attempts, Kinnear was made the Liberal party's nominee for the Welland Riding.

[2] Kinnear retired from her role as a judge in 1961 because of illness and moved back to Port Colborne.

[2][6] In 1965, Kinnear was awarded a medallion from the John Howard Society of Ontario for "Distinguished Humanitarian Service".

In 1999, Kinnear House, situated at 232 Clarence Street, Port Colborne, was added to the database of Heritage Port Colborne's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for the purpose of publicizing Kinnear's residence as a noteworthy local property.