Barbara McKenna
1942-2021
Barbara Helen (Fraser) McKenna. It is with deep sadness and
loving gratefulness for a life fully lived that we announce
Barbara’s death in Palliative Care at the Aberdeen Hospital,
New Glasgow, on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the age of
78.
Barbara was born on March 20, 1942 in New Glasgow and was
raised in Westville, a daughter of the late James and Lucy Fraser.
Following high school, Barb graduated from the Secretarial Science
program at St. Francis Xavier University. Her first job was with the
traffic division of the Halifax Police Department. It was there that
she met the love of her life, Michael McKenna, who was a member of the
RCMP. They were married in 1966.
Barb was kind, friendly, and made friends easily wherever she
went. With Michael’s postings, they lived in Halifax, Truro,
Ottawa (twice), Yellowknife and St. John’s. She enjoyed
curling from high school to late in life. As a member of the YMCA, she
enjoyed fitness classes, yoga and swimming.
She was a long-time member of St. John the Baptist Parish in
New Glasgow, where she was a lay reader and member of the Catholic
Women’s League. She was proud to received her CWL Service
Pin. She was also a member of the Aberdeen Hospital Auxiliary and
loved working in the gift shop. She was a member of the New Glasgow
Gyrette Club and loved the social events, making many new friends.
Barb looked forward to meeting her hooking friends at the Bluenose
Descendants Hooking Group, which she belonged to for a number of
years.
In their last posting in Ottawa, Barb was employed by the
Canadian Medical Association before moving back to New Glasgow to
enjoy retirement at the cottage on Sinclair’s
Island.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 54 years, Michael; her
sons: Mark (Angela), Belgium; Paul (Kate), Toronto, ON, and their
children, Isabel, Patrick, Teddy and Rory; Peter (Kerry), Ottawa, ON,
and their children, Madison, Cody, Fraser, Rowan and Quinn. She is
also survived by sisters: Isabel (Owen) McKenna, Dartmouth; Shirley
(George) Manos, New Glasgow; Marjorie (Jim) Tetz, Calgary, AB; Heather
(Gary) Collens, Dartmouth; brothers: Ross (late Loretta), Port Hope,
ON; Jimmy (Linda), Ladysmith, BC.
Many thanks to the staff at Valley View Villa for their care
and kindness to Barb. We also thank the staff in Palliative Care for
making sure Barb was pain free and comfortable.
Private funeral mass, 11am Monday, July 19. The service was
livestreamed. A recording of the funeral can be viewed at: Barb
McKenna Funeral
Family flowers only. If desired, donations may be made to
Aberdeen Palliative Care Society or the Alzheimer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New
Glasgow.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara McKenna 19422021..
Death notice for the town of: New-Glasgow, Province: Nova Scotia