Joan McKenna

Joan Barbara McKenna, 86 of Bridgman passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

A memorial mass will be held 10 AM Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at St. Issac Jogues Catholic Church, 427 South Clay Street, Hinsdale, Illinois. Friends may meet with the family from 9-10 AM prior to the service at the church

Joan was born May 22 ,1925 in New York, New York the daughter of the late John J. And Ethel (Brutton) McDermott. On June 2, 1951 she married William McKenna of Chicago in New York City and he preceded her in death on February 15, 1975.

A longtime resident of Hinsdale, Illinois, Bridgman and Vero Beach, Florida, she raised six children, enjoyed 17 grandchildren, and attended hundreds if not thousands of her grandchildrens’ athletic contests, concerts and performances of all kinds. Joan was a graduate of Columbia University School of Nursing and received her masters of Public Health from the University of Michigan. She was a long time docent at the Chicago Historical Society and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Joan was an avid reader and a member of the Weko Beach Book Club. She loved swimming, both in Lake Michigan and at the Bridgman High School Pool. She traveled the world and had visited every continent except Antarctica and and Australia.

Survivors include her six children - Susan McKenna of Island Park, Idaho, William (Nancy) McKenna, Jr. of Evanston, Paul (Dominique) McKenna of South Miami, Florida, Aileen (Terry Lund) McKenna of Guilford, Connecticut, Thomas (Nancy) McKenna of Downers Grove, and Jack (Barb) McKenna of Elmhurst; 17 grandchildren - David, Molly, Will, Evan, Julia, Sean, Mary Kate, William Braaksma, Andrew Braaksma, Caroline Braaksma, Thomas, Joe, Liam, Patrick, Nora, Michael and Charlie; a brother - Jack (Jean) McDermott of New York; and many, many friends.

Joan was also preceded in death by a sister, Aileen McDermott in 1997

Gathering of Family and Friends

9-10 AM ,Tuesday, May 31, 2011
St. Issac Jogues Catholic Church
427 South Clay Street Hinsdale, IL 60521

Memorial Mass

10 AM ,Tuesday, May 31, 2011
St. Issac Jogeus Catholic Church
427 South Clay Street Hinsdale, IL 60521