Mary Jean (Kelly) McKenna, 84, of Newport died Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Newport Hospital surrounded by her family.
She was the wife of Robert J. McKenna for 56 years.
Born in Springfield, MA, on March 9, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Raymond E. and Emily M. (Gehrung) Kelly
Mrs. McKenna grew up in Pawtucket, RI and graduated from Shea High School (Pawtucket West) in 1949. Mrs. McKenna received her B. A. from Brown University in 1953 and a M.A. from Salve Regina University in 1979. Active in community affairs, she was a member of the Broadway Task Force, the Washington square Advisory Commission Festa Italiano and the Newport Irish Heritage Association. She had also served as a member of the Armed Services YMCA Board, for many years. Mrs. McKenna was a member of the Newport Democratic City Committee and the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee. As a member of the executive board of the Brown Class of 53, she also served as Treasurer and Co-Chair of the 45th reunion committee.
She is survived by her children, Margaret Enkler of Windsor, CT, Elizabeth McKenna of Pawtucket, RI, and Kelly, Mark, and Paul McKenna and Patricia MacDonald of Newport, RI and Raymond McKenna of Middletown, RI. She also leaves her “Pride and Joy” her grandchildren: Erika, Tristan, Sean, Julia, Ryan, Kaitlin, Joshua, Emily, Phoebe, Kyle, Brandon and Nick.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016, from 4-8PM, in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 9:00AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM, in St. Joseph’s Church, Broadway, Newport.
Burial will take place in Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery, 661 Prospect Street, Pawtucket, RI.
