Obituary of Letitia "Letty" W McKenna

Letitia “Letty” Ward McKenna, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her beloved Ocean City, NJ home on Sunday morning, January 29, 2023.

Letty, the first of four children, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA.  She met the love of her life, Mike, at the corner drugstore, and they had their first date at her dear friend Diane’s basement party. At the age of 17, Letty, with the happy blessings of her family, accepted Mike’s marriage proposal. Soon after that she graduated from Olney High School. While Mike served in the United States Army, Letty, her mother, and her future mother in-law, Stella, planned their wedding so it could take place as soon as Mike completed his service. They married on February 9, 1957, one week after his honorable discharge. Letty was 19 years old. Over the next seven years, she gave birth to six daughters. Raising and being with her family was the most important thing to her, and her devotion and unconditional love were two of the greatest gifts she gave her loving husband and daughters.

She had a busy life raising six girls in Churchville, PA and spending summers in Ocean City, NJ. She also enjoyed volunteering at a local hospital and dabbling in real estate. Her daughters added to her family six sons through marriage. She never used the words “in-law” because to her they were her sons. She loved them as her own. Her family grew to include 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with lucky #13 on the way.

After Mike’s retirement, Letty and Mike spent their winters in Jensen Beach, FL at The Regency Island Dunes. They enjoyed many special times in Florida with their very large group of friends.

Letty is survived by her loving and adoring husband, Michael J. McKenna; their children, Tish Palumbo (Bruce Mauro), Carol Steinke (husband Brian), Suzanne Karcher (husband Robert “Archie”), Kathleen Doyle (late husband Mike), Jane Dorey (husband David), Meg Herman (husband Greg); her grandchildren, Michael, Julie, Jaclyn, Valerie, Rebecca, Kevin, Kelly, Kimberly, Kristopher, Greg, Kristi, Jill, Shannon, Julian, Katie, Sara, Erin, and Adam; her great-grandchildren, Koa, Falconer, Axelle, Beau, Willa, Everett, Evelina, Mack, Parker, Harley, Elliott, Ollie; her sister, Carol; and many nieces and nephews.

Letty is welcomed in heaven by her father, John “Jack” Ward; mother, Letitia “Tish” Hunsicker Ward; brothers, Philip and David; and son through love, Mike Doyle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charities: St. Damien’s Parish (www.stdamienparish.com), Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (www.oblates.org), and LaSalle University (www.give.lasalle.edu).