OLD ORCHARD BEACH- Karen Anne McKenna, age 70, passed away after a hard-fought battle with accepting medical care on January 14, 2026, at Gosnell Hospice House surrounded by her children.
Karen was born in Boston Massachusetts on February 20, 1955, a daughter of the late William A. McKenna and Phyllis (Flynn) McKenna. Karen moved to Maine at the age of 5 to live with her Grandmother Marguerite Flynn and Aunt Barbara Hannon along with her mother, however she loved referring to herself as a “Irish Boston Girl”. She attended Old Orchard Beach High School and later furthered her education by taking college courses when she could.
Karen held many jobs throughout her lifetime- cook on a mobile food truck, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Captain Video store manager, to housekeeping at Maine Veteran’s home just to mention a few. In the early 90’s Karen spent a lot of time helping her daughter by taking care of her three grandchildren, Ray, Jeff and Jessica, who were the same age as her youngest children Lauren and Matthew. Through this time the five children were able to create a bond that carried them through tough times later in life, including this one.
As her children, we knew she loved us. Our only wish is that she would have loved herself more. Karen loved her independence and never liked being told what was good or not good for her. She opted out of the medical care throughout her life that would have kept her here with us and given her the opportunity to see the world through a different lens. She deserved more. Your children see the world through the glass you provide them and if that glass is clouded by the parents before you, the lessons you have endured, the losses that almost broke you, it is important to love yourself enough to learn how to clean that glass, how to put that glass down or change the prescription to one that holds a better view of the world, that is not so blurred. She never knew how much love was available to her. We as her children tell you this not to shame our Mom, but to bring light to what we would hope she would say if she had to do it all over again.
In Heaven, awaiting her, are her parents, her grandparents, several aunts and an uncle she adored, as well as many cousins from both sides of her large family. She will be able to spend time with Sandy and Joanne, two friends who meant a lot to her that left a hole in her heart when they passed. She will be able to hold her beloved fur babies again, Blazer, Ana, and Liam- along with many others she cared for throughout her lifetime. Not to be outdone, we know that her grandson Jeff Letellier took over at Heaven’s gate had the loud music playing, the strobe lights flashing and made her a grand entrance that only he could accomplish and we know God was “good” with that.
Karen is survived by her sense of humor that could never die with her body, her four children who will carry on that humor, daughter Kendra Smith and her husband Ron of Hollis, son Eric (EJ) Edwin and his partner Regan of Forest City North Carolina, daughter Lauren Labelle and her fiancé Thomas of Hollis and son Matthew Labelle of Biddeford. Four grandchildren, Mason, Everett, Jessica & Ray and fur babies, Quin and Nessa, and not to be forgotten her dear friend of over 15 years Joe Stevens .
Karen wanted to be cremated and did not want any services. We, being Karen’s children, somewhat went against her wishes and gathered on Saturday January 17th as a family- deep down we knew she would love that.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Gosnell Hospital House, www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com