Obituary: Mckenna, Joan (Marian Joan), Snjm
Age 85
She began her education in Fresno, but graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon.
Her educational accomplishments included an B.A.
in Math from Marylhurst University, an M.A.
in Math from University of Detroit and a PhD in Math from St. Louis University.
She joined the Sisters of the Holy Names in July of 1947, and began her teaching career in 1949 at The Immaculate in Seattle and St. Francis High School in Eugene.
She returned to the student role in 1957 for her graduate degrees, and then began teaching at Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in 1969.
With the close of Fort Wright College, Sister Joan joined the faculty at Spokane Falls Community College from 1981-83.
At that time her religious community asked her to return to community service to implement her technology skills as Director of Computer Services for the Provincial Department.
In 1996, she was also given responsibility for purchasing, licensing and upkeep of the fleet of province cars, a role she carried until 2006.
By that time, the rheumatoid arthritis that had plagued her for years had made it necessary for her to retire.
That synopsis does not do justice to the colors of Joan’s life!
Joan was a photographer and her numerous albums chronicling her life bear witness to her eye for beauty and history.
Most appreciated are the books that combine her photography with her love and knowledge of the flora within which she lived, the pictures identifying every plant on the Convent’s 57 acres!
In her youth, Joan was very athletic and one of the sports she enjoyed was figure skating.
When the Russian figure skaters came to Spokane for Expo in 1974, her interest was renewed.
She noted that the Figure Skating Association had funds for training “accountants” to function at qualifying competitions, and by 1985 she has become an intermediate test judge and a national accountant, officiating at a number of national championships.
Joan was also the “go to” person for information on well written history and mystery books!
Because of her arthritis, Joan enjoyed the use of her lightweight Kindle and it is a treasure trove of “good reads.”
Joan was able to pass written tests in both French and German, which enriched her European travel experience.
Her English grammar was perfect, as was her expectation of any speaker of English!
Her command of vocabulary was thoughtful, precise, and often bent to humor!
It was also used to show her deep respect for people.
Joan has lived with considerable pain since she was thirty years of age but she was always determined not to let that define her life, and it did not!
She was a woman of courage and grace.
She died July 15, 2015, at Hospice House.
Her religious community is grateful for those who cared for her at the Convent, at Brookdale South Regal and at Hospice of Spokane.
Sister Joan McKenna died July 15, 2015, at Hospice House in Spokane, WA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, July 24, at Convent of the Holy Names.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: