Sr. Katherine Mary McKenna

SISTER KATHERINE MC KENNA , FORMALLY KNOWN IN RELIGIOUS LIFE AS SISTER MARY JOAN.

She was  BORN SEPTEMBER 9, 1943 to Mary T. (Burns) McKenna and J. Joseph  McKenna in Central Falls RI. 

Sister entered into eternal life August 14, 2026. At the time of her death Sister resided at NotreDame Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Worcester, MA.
Sister Katherine graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Pawtucket RI and upon graduation, entered the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 15, 1961, received the Habit July 2, 1964 and professed her final vows August 15, 1969. 
Sister received her BA in Education from Regina Coeli College began her ministry as an elementary and secondary English teacher (Holy Family School, Fitchburg; St. Bernard’s Elementary and St. Bernard’s High School, Fitchburg. Sister Katherine extended her ministries after obtaining a Masters of Psychology and Counseling from Assumption College, (Worcester, MA) and a Masters of Applied Theology (Graduate Theological Union (Berkley, CA). This brought her to Director of College Chaplaincy at Fitchburg State University and Quinsigamond Community College (Worcester, MA.). Sister also worked at Catholic Memorial Home in (Fall River MA). as a Chaplain. She worked as a Pastoral Associate in Christ the King Parish and St. Mary’s Parish in the Norwich Diocese of CT. Prior to retiring,  Sister was Director of Mission Integration at Notre Dame Health Care (Worcester). She served in Congregational offices as Director of the Associate Ministers and on its leadership team as a Councilor. Being a  strong supporter of the Nora Cronin Presentation Academy in Newburg, NY she served as Director of Institutional Advancement.
Along with her Presentation Community, Sister Katherine is survived by her sister, Margaret McKenna, nephews Michael Miller and his partner Heidi Flood; David Miller and his wife Anna Stein; grandnieces Olivia, Sage and Eliza, a grandnephew Oliver, and a host of cousins, close friends and former colleagues .
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Curley Marchand Funeral Home
Mass of Resurrection will be Celebrated Thursday, August 20, 2026 at Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St, Worcester, MA  at_10:30 AM. Burial will be at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg, MA 
Visitation and Welcoming will be held before the Mass at 9:15AM.
In lure of flowers, donations may be made to SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY or McKenna Center on Teaching (Central Falls, RI).

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