“Pat” was born in Darby, Pennsylvania, in 1935 to the late Francis A. and Genevieve E. (nee Malloy) McGrory. The family crossed the bridge and became “the Jersey McGrorys,” and Pat grew up in Audubon with her big brother Frank, “Irish twin” Mary and little sister Kathleen, as well as Aunts Ann and Marie. She attended St. Rose of Lima grammar school in Haddon Heights, where she met her lifelong best friends, Veronica and Joan. The trio went on to attend Camden Catholic High School together, where Pat was known as a “sweet” and “swell” girl who loved to dance.
After high school, Pat was a member of the first graduating class of Our Lady of Lourdes’ x-ray technician training program in Camden, earning her certification in 1955 and working in the radiology department several years. Later in life she picked up radiology again when she worked at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, N.J., just long enough to save money for her first trip to Disney World.
Pat met the love of her life, Frank “Skip” McKenna, on the dance floor. They were engaged on Christmas Eve in 1956 and married on Aug. 3, 1957. They made their first home in Pennsauken, N.J., where they welcomed their elder son, William Francis. Two years later their first daughter was born, Sheila Marie. They then moved to Cinnaminson, N.J., where Pat welcomed her mother-in-law Ada Mabel and brother-in-law Bob into their growing household. Next came their younger son Thomas Edward, followed 13 years later by their “pleasant surprise” Heather Ann. The family then moved to Vineland, N.J., where they spent two decades before retiring to Williamstown. Pat’s final home was “Collingswood Manor,” where she made many new friends and enjoyed playing bingo and pinochle.
Pat was a second mom to many family members, friends and neighbors. She was a sweet, kind and generous person who connected with everyone. She was very involved in the church, from her time as a “loyal sodalist” in high school to serving on the Altar Rosary Societies at St. Charles Borromeo in Cinnaminson and Our Lady of Pompeii in Vineland, and the Social Concerns Committee at St. Mary’s in Williamstown.
Pat enjoyed playing bridge and watching crime dramas. The Electric Slide and Nelly always brought her to the dance floor. She never wanted to be “a stick in the mud,” and even in her final days was considering going to a concert in Atlantic City with her grandson. Her happiest moments were those spent with family, especially weeks at the Jersey shore.
Pat is predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Francis W. McKenna, and her older brother Francis A. McGrory. She is survived by her sisters Mary (Roy) Chandler (nee McGrory) of Cherry Hill, N.J.; Kathleen (Wayne) Roberts (nee McGrory) of Cherry Hill, N.J.; her children, William (Debbie) McKenna of Collingswood, N.J.; Sheila McKenna of Woodbury, N.J.; Thomas (Kim) McKenna of Newark, Del.; and Heather (Douglas) Bonarrigo of Salem, N.H.; five grandchildren (Bill, Jason, Jillian, Austin and Colton); three great granddaughters (Scarlett, Avery and Penny); five nieces and nephews (Michael, Jim, Ryan, Nathan, Kate and Christine); a grandnephew, Ed; a grandniece, Lindsey; and the beloved family cat, Daphne.
Pat was a devoted wife, sister, aunt and friend and the best mom her kids could ask for. Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life during a viewing at Blake-Doyle Funeral Home (226 West Collings Avenue, Collingswood, N.J.) from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12. A funeral mass will follow at St. John’s church, St. Teresa of Calcutta parish (809 Park Avenue, Collingswood, N.J.) at 11:30 a.m., followed by a burial service at New St. Mary’s Cemetery (515 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr, N.J.).
Pat would be thrilled by donations made in her honor to the March of Dimes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Indian School.
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