Rita M. McKenna

PEABODY — Rita M. (McDonald) McKenna, 73, wife of the late William A. McKenna died Monday evening, Sept. 7, 2009 at Union Hospital in Lynn.

Born in Long Island City, N.Y., she was daughter of the late Thomas and Reita (Sullivan) McDonald. She was a graduate of Long Island Public School, Class of 1953. During the Vietnam War, Rita dedicated herself to service by collecting hundreds of books and sending them to the soldiers that were stationed in Vietnam.

She taught Confirmation at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Beverly for 20 years until 1995. Rita was also a Girl Scout Leader for 10 years. She also worked at Barter Brothers Florist in Beverly.

Rita was fascinated with genealogy and it took her to Ireland where she researched her family. Rita loved her family and family gatherings.

Surviving her is one son, William K. McKenna of Haverhill; three daughters, Kathleen Bradley and her husband Richard of Torrington, Conn., Elizabeth O'Donnell and her husband David of Westfield, and Rita McKenna-Cohen and her husband Jason of Wakefield; four brothers, Thomas J. McDonald of Rochester, N.H., George S. McDonald and his wife Virginia of Danvers, Paul McDonald of Beverly, and John M. McDonald of Beverly; one sister, Catherine DiGrazia of Amesbury; four grandchildren, Matthew Bradley and his wife Katie of Gales Ferry, Co., Benjamin Bradley of Torrington, Con. and Megan and Eric Cohen of Wakefield. Rita was predeceased by one sister-in-law, Margarete McDonald.

ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly on Saturday at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell-Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly (North Beverly location) on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be held at a later time. Contributions may be made in Rita's memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01923. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.