Mary J. (Gagnon) McKenna

Wrentham, Mass. – Mary J. (Gagnon) McKenna, 74, of Cumberland Road, died Sunday, October 23, 2022 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston.  She was the beloved wife of William McKenna.  Mr. & Mrs. McKenna had celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on October 7th.

Born in Woonsocket, a daughter of the late Francis and Gladys (Taylor) Gagnon, she grew up in Manville and lived in Wrentham for over forty years.

Mrs. McKenna was an elementary school teacher in the Cumberland School District, teaching at Garvin Memorial School and Community School for thirty-four years before retiring.  After her retirement from teaching she enjoyed working at the Commodities Market consignment shop in Wrentham, always finding special treasures she could gift to her family and friends.  She was a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education, and a member of the NEA and the Cumberland Teachers Association.

She had a creative spirit, and loved to decorate her home for holidays, paint furniture and crafts.  She considered her home to be her tableau.  Family and friends were most important to her, and she loved to entertain at the holidays, especially the Fourth of July at “Spa McKenna”, attending plays and musicals, doting on her grandson Charlie, and was a proud “band parent” for her daughter at King Philip Regional High School.  She loved antiquing and completing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, traveling to the Irish Countryside, and spending summers on Cape Cod in East Dennis.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Katherine M. McKenna of Cumberland and Meghan F. McKenna of Cohasset, Mass.; and one grandson, Charlie Krueger.  She was the sister of the late Anne Ruzzo. She also leaves behind her many beloved Hayes cousins, with whom she shared a very close bond.

A Celebration of her life will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to the Family Literacy Center, 12 Park Way, Manville, R.I. 02838, or the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, R.I. 02907 would be appreciated.  For directions and guest book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com. 

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