Mary Ida McKenna

Mary Ida McKenna, (nee Kelly), age 91, of Broomall, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully with family on August 28, 2025.

Born in South Philadelphia on December 28, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Frances Kelly Boyle. Mary was a bookkeeper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Youth Organization for many years.  A graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School, Mary was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Broomall since 1965.

Mary was active with Mothers Against Drunk Driving for many years after the loss of her son, Air Force 1st Lt. John H. McKenna in a drunk driving accident in 1986. For over 30 years, Mary shared her heartfelt story of the loss of her son regularly to first time drunk drivers through the Delaware County ARD program in an effort to prevent future accidents. Mary was also a member of the Mothers Club for over 62 years, a group of adoptive mothers who met through Catholic Charities and continued to meet monthly with each other. Mary loved cooking for her family and hosting on holidays, relaxing at her trailer in Woodbine, NJ and lived to spend time with her 5 grandsons and 2 great grandchildren, who were the light of her life.  She was especially kind to animals and fed the birds in her yard daily and loved to water her plants and chat with friends and neighbors. 

In addition to her mother, Mary was preceded in death by her husband John J. Mckenna, and her son’s 1st Lt. John H. Mckenna (Jaqueline) and Charles E. McKenna.  She is survived by her daughters, Mary Frances McKenna, and Beth Smiley (Paul), grandsons Charles McKenna, Brian Mckenna (Topacio), John Smiley (Chelsea), David Smiley, Joseph Smiley (Jesenia) and great grandchildren Athena Maria McKenna and Atticus Jasper McKenna, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 9 am to 10 am on Friday September 5th at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 220 Lawrence Rd, Broomall, PA 19008. Catholic Mass to follow at 10:00 am and interment immediately after at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 Sproul Rd, Springfield, PA 19064.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Parish in memory of Mary Ida McKenna, 220 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008.