Marilyn Joan McKenna

One of God's greatest angels to walk this planet is no longer among us. Our mom, Marilyn Joan McKenna, passed peacefully at 1:45am this morning, and is now with our Creator. Marilyn, affectionately called Mella during her early years, was born in 1939 in Hong Kong, to parents Beatrice (Betty) Brown and Arthur (AB) Brown, the youngest of two girls (Colleen Phelan), and lived her formative years with extended family as refugees in Macau during the Great War. She completed studies at the French Convent School (now St. Paul's Convent School), and then migrated with her family to the US in 1960, settling in San Francisco. She soon gained employment with Pacific Telephone & Telegraph (for whom she worked until her retirement), married Chester Garber, and was blessed with 3 children, James (Jim), Stephanie, and Derrick. The marriage unfortunately did not work out, and Marilyn raised her 3 kids on her own, never complaining or regretting or tiring. She was able amazingly to give her children 12 years of private Catholic education, pay for childcare, shuttle them to various sports, scouts & other activities, and support them in college. She was also active in her parish church and school, Holy Name of Jesus.

By the grace of our Lord, Marilyn met John McKenna of San Francisco in 1986 and wed soon after, uniting the younger Garber trio with the McKenna clan (John, Joyce, Jackie, Bill, and Mike). She survived two bouts of cancer, was able to retire early and move to Folsom, and traveled the world with the love of her life. She would shine forever in her role as wife, mother of 8, grandmother of 18 (John Foster, Courtney, Maddie, Megan, Kelly, Collin, Jessica, Bianca, Juliana, Sierra (Kia), Rachel, Allie, Katalina, Evan, Savana, Nico, AJ, Dominique), and great grandmother of 4 (Ryan, KJ, Jackson, and Mai'ina).

All who had the fortune of knowing Marilyn can attest to her unrelenting generosity of resources, time, compassion, and prayers. She just never stopped giving, serving, caring, and praying! She worked hard to remember every family member's birthday and special life moments. And we all came to expect the annual Easter and Holiday cards. The family knew that mom, that grandmom, was always thinking of us and praying for us. The Garber kids' friends fondly remember Mrs. Garber as the host & chaperone of umpteen raging teen parties at the Garber house on 41st Avenue.

Marilyn was an angel so many times to so many people throughout her life. With grace, she resolutely embraced her special calling to serve as a bridge to heaven, personally caring and preparing countless family members, young and old, for the transition to the spiritual life with God. We were fortunate enough to be able to comfort and assist our mom & grandmom for her transition during these past few months. We have no doubt that Marilyn will be a master spirit and guide for many in the years to come. Even in heaven, she will not stop giving, caring and praying. During her precious time here with all of us, she embodied the 3 greatest gifts as shared by Jesus - Faith, Hope, and Love. And the greatest of these is ... WE LOVE YOU MOM, GRANDMA, and GREAT GRANDMA, and we miss you!!

A funeral service will be held in Folsom at St. John the Baptist Church on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Details below. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in honor of Marilyn's grandson John Foster, to Angels Among Us (www.supportdukehealth.org), to support The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center.

Funeral Service:

St. John the Baptist Church

309 Montrose Drive

Folsom, CA

Schedule:

Rosary - 10:30am

Funeral Mass - 11:00am

Reception - Immediately after