McKenna, Ann Emond

Ann Emond McKenna, of Old Saybrook, CT and Hillsboro Beach, FL, passed away October 20, 2022. She was 102. Born on April 16, 1920 to Frank Xavier Emond and Mary Catherine McGrath Emond, she was raised in Pawtucket, RI. She attended St. Mary's School, graduated from Hope High School in 1937, and earned her bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College of Education in 1941. It was there that she met her husband of 68 years, the late William J. "Bill" McKenna. They were married on November 3, 1945. During World War II, Mrs. McKenna taught in the Pawtucket, RI school system while Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in Stortford, England. After their marriage, the McKennas lived briefly in Gadsden, Alabama at the Gadsden Air Force Station, before moving back to Pawtucket where they lived in the historic Jesse Thornton octagonal house at 42 Park Place while Mr. McKenna earned his Master's degree at Boston University. In 1947, the McKennas moved to Old Saybrook, Connecticut where they raised their family. Mrs. McKenna taught third grade at the Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School in Old Saybrook for two decades. She retired from teaching in 1980 and had many years to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an active parishioner of St. John Church, Old Saybrook. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Ann McKenna will be remembered for strength and determination, and her unfailing love and support of her husband and children. In addition to being an accomplished teacher and homemaker, Ann was a talented knitter and her children cherish the beautiful baby sweaters that she made for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann was predeceased by her husband, Bill McKenna of Old Saybrook, and her parents, Frank and Mary Emond, her twin sister, Dorothy Emond Reardon and her older sister, Mary Emond Guertin, all of Pawtucket, RI. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia McKenna Walden of Old Saybrook, CT and her husband, Thomas B. Walden, MD, Kathleen McKenna Fauteux of Newton, MA and her husband, Stephen Fauteux and Mary Ann McKenna Ferraguto of Alexandria, VA, by her son, Michael McKenna of Wethersfield, CT and his wife, Patricia McKenna, and by her grandchildren: Kevin, Michael and Andrew Fauteux, Michael, Thomas and Christopher Ferraguto, Mary and Patrick McKenna, and great grandchildren Lila Ann, William, Henry, Jack, Cameron and Stephen Fauteux, and Frances and William Ferraguto. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Tuesday, October 25th at St. John Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT. Burial will follow at Mount St. Mary's Cemetery in East Providence, RI. For online condolences please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com.

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