Jennie W. McKenna, age 89, of 475 High Street, Mystic, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2008 at Mystic Manor.
Jennie was born August 9, 1919 in Arlington, NJ daughter of Lyman and Jennie Fuller. She graduated as valedictorian of her class from Audubon High School in 1937. After graduating from Strayer’s Business College in Philadelphia, she went to work for the Department of Justice in Washington, DC where she was a highly respected court stenographer, and attended George Washington university.
She married Martin McKenna of Bayshore, Long Island at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on October 10, 1942. Her beloved husband died November 18, 1999, after 57 wonderful years of marriage. While raising their family of five, Mrs. McKenna worked at Robert E. Fitch Senior High School, then at Electric Boat Division as medical secretary for Dr. A. Duncan MacDougall until her retirement in 1981. During her retirement years, Mrs. McKenna enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, and doing needlework.
Mrs. McKenna is survived by a son, Stephen McKenna of Noank; and a daughter, Nancy Esposito of Hamden, CT . She was predeceased by her husband, Martin F. McKenna, her son Martin McKenna Jr., and her daughters, Muriel Anne Palmer and Patricia Ellen McKenna. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. McKenna was a member of Groton Senior Citizens, Retired Salaried Employees Assn. of General Dynamics, and a charter member of the Noank Historical Society.
There are no calling hours. Burial will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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