Ann Jeanette McKenna

Ann Jeanette McKenna was born on April 29, 1928, in Haines Falls, Greene County, New York. She was welcomed by her parents, James and Helen (Segelken) OBrien, and her siblings, Audrey Elizabeth and James Joseph. She passed away peacefully in Fullerton, California, on Friday afternoon, May 11, 2018, at the age of 90.

Ann grew up and attended school in Haines Falls. She graduated from Tannersville Central High School (now known as Hunter-Tannersville Middle High School) in 1946 and went on to pursue nursing in Albany, New York. After completing her degree in 1949, Ann began her nursing career at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

While in Brooklyn, Ann met the love of her life, Edward Patrick McKenna. Ed and Ann were married on August 12, 1950, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Brooklyn, New York. They made their home in Brooklyn (1950-1952) until purchasing their first home in Queens Village in 1953. Ann continued her career as a nurse, and Ed was with the FDNY.

A business opportunity for Ed, coupled with an opportunity for Ann to live near her sister, Audrey, prompted a move to California in 1964. They arrived on June 20th of that year, settling in La Puente. Seven years later they moved to Whittier, California, where Ann continued to live until the time of her death.

Anns love for learning took her back to school in the late 1970s early 1980s. She attended California Sate University at Long Beach and earned her teaching credentials. She then went on to teach at 66th St. Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, and St. Mary of the Assumption School in Whittier.

A devout Catholic whose life exemplified her beliefs, Ann leaves a legacy of faith, family, and an un-matched love for children. She was a devoted wife and mother who adored her own children, yet she was also passionate about lifting and blessing the lives of children everywhere. Anns love and compassion were evident to many and contributed to her being honored twice as Mother of the Yearonce in New York, and once in California. Following her husbands untimely death in 1992, Ann established the Ann J. and Edward P. McKenna Foundation to carry out her philanthropic efforts. Among the beneficiaries of her generosity are the Casa de la Misericordia in Tecate, Mexico, a Catholic orphanage; and the Sanctuary of Hope organization in Los Angeles, a non-profit which helps teens transition from the foster care system to adulthood.

Ann was a bit of a home body who found joy in being with family, reading about history, and educating herself. However, she also enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to take many trips with her children over the years.

She leaves behind her 14 children, Helen (James) Rawitsch, Mary (James) Hofmann, Jeanette McKenna, Edward Jr. (Colleen) McKenna, Francis (Dean Regan) McKenna), Geraldine (Stephanus) Benjamins, Daniel (Patty) McKenna, David (Tamara) McKenna, James (Leslie) McKenna, Joseph (Mary) McKenna, Audrey (Tom) Hunter, John McKenna, Jill (Nazir) Raslan, and Charles (Christie) McKenna; 41 grandchildren, and 21 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Patrick McKenna, Sr.; granddaughter, Lara Raslan; and son-in-law, John C. Jack Rahder.

Mass will be celebrated at 1pm on Monday, May 21, 2018, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7215 Newlin Avenue, Whittier, California. A second mass will be celebrated back home at her childhood parish, Immaculate Conception Church in Haines Falls, New York, followed by interment at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery in Elka Park (Haines Falls/Tannersville), Greene County, New York.