Natalina "Natalie" McKenna

Natalina “Natalie” Pasini McKenna arrived in the world on December 25, 1927 in the beautiful seaport city of Trieste, Italy, to parents Alberto Pasini and Emilia Petrich. She left us on January 18, 2013, at the age of 85, exactly the way she had always hoped to make her departure – peacefully in her sleep. In her early 20’s, Natalie went to work at 7th Station Hospital on the American military base in Trieste where she met a U.S. soldier with the 88th Infantry Division, Vincent “Mac” McKenna. They were married in 1949 and raised two daughters, Shirley and Linda. As a military family, the McKennas had the privilege of living in California, Colorado, Texas and Germany. They settled in San Antonio, Texas, in 1962 after Sgt. McKenna retired and where Natalie worked in the cafeteria at Cole High School at Ft. Sam Houston. Natalie was an energetic, funny, kind, and friendly lady who loved big band music and dancing. She was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary #8541 and always looked forward to her weekends socializing with her many friends at the club. Her family would like to thank her life-long friend and fellow “Triestina”, Delia McKinley, for her unwavering loyalty and friendship to Natalie throughout the years . Natalie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Berto, daughter Barbara, and husband, Vincent. She is survived by daughters Shirley “Sig” Izbrand and husband Joe in San Antonio; and Linda Brandenburger and husband Paul of Lawrence, Kansas; plus grandchildren: Noah, McKenna, Matthew, and Ben. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 23, at 3:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to VFW Post #8541, 2222 Austin Highway, 78218.