MARTHA ELIZABETH McKENNA

(nee Morgan) 1928-2025 Martha, 96, died peacefully on Janurary 1, 2025, in her hometown of Montreal. Predeceased by her husband and best friend, Thomas Justin McKenna; she leaves behind her brother, John Morgan; four children, Karen, Richard (Marianne Stopp), Grant (Geneviève L'Abbé) and Barrie (Gail McKenna); eight grandchildren, Sarah, Nansen, Kendra, Thomas, Carlita, Mikelli, Matthew and Morgan; and one great-grandchild, David. Martha's greatest legacy was her passion for outdoor adventure and exploration, a love she eagerly shared with family and friends. Her happy place was her country home on Lac Brûlé, where she showed her generous spirit and boundless energy, still skiing and swimming into her 90s. In her 20s, Martha was a competitive downhill racer, but turned to cross-country skiing after her husband, Tom, suffered a bad leg break on the slopes. For decades, the pair were fixtures of the early Laurentian cross-country ski scene, Viking Ski Club and Canadian Ski Marathon. Their backcountry ski adventures took them to the Rockies, the Yukon and Norway. When not skiing, she took it easy by camping, hiking, canoeing, playing tennis, gardening, making pottery, fundraising, organizing book clubs and seeing the world. Martha was educated at The Study in Montreal, King's Hall in Compton, QC, and McGill University, where she earned a BSc, and made lifelong friendships in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She went on to work as a bacteriologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital, before getting married and having children. She later launched a second career, working as a family life educator at the Mental Hygiene Institute. Martha was also an amateur historian and family chronicler, editing a book on the Penguin Ski Club and women's skiing in the Laurentians, and compiling various family histories. Her family will always remember Martha, tattered Tilley hat on, lovingly weeding her rock garden, gazing at hummingbirds, clearing her beloved ski trails and sharing her passions with her grandchildren. Thanks to caregivers, Pancresia, Teresita, Christine and Lolita, who helped keep Martha happy and safe in her final years. Donations in Martha's memory can be made to the Montreal General Hospital Foundation. A memorial service will be held at a later date.