Sister Eileen Loretta McKenna, formerly Sister Mary Adele, died peacefully on July 7, 2022, in the Baggot Street Community at Saint Mary Home, West Hartford. The daughter of John and Etta (Reinville) McKenna, she was born in Waterbury, CT on August 12, 1926. Entering the Sisters of Mercy in June, 1944, she professed her final vows in January, 1950.

Sister Eileen McKenna received her BA in Education and Theology from the University of Saint Joseph in 1972, followed by an MA in Pastoral Ministry and Fifth Year Certificate in Elementary Education also from the University of Saint Joseph.

A talented Woman of Mercy, Sister Eileen created a classroom experience for young children that foreshadowed a technological world. From introducing computers at Our Lady of Mercy School in Madison to artistic card designs, she continued to bring messages of love and hope into the lives of many.

Not limited to her life as an educator, Sister Eileen used her skills to create quilts, scarves and mittens, mend clothes, and prepare home-cooked meals complete with Irish bread. Throughout her life, Eileen’s name was synonymous with integrity, generosity, kindness and promoting the value of each person. For over 60 years throughout Catholic Elementary Schools in Connecticut, and in later years as she transitioned from Madison to Newington to West Hartford, she always found an unmet ministry need she could address.

During her final years on Baggot Street, Sister Eileen engaged in a ministry of prayer and presence.

Sister Eileen was predeceased by her parents, her brother  James,  her sister Evelyn Fruin, and her brother John (died in World War II serving as a Torpedoman’s Mate, awarded a Purple Heart), Sister Eileen is survived by  her sister-in-law Roberta McKenna (James’ wife), her nephews: John Fruin, Mark Fruin, James McKenna (wife- Florinda), Richard McKenna (wife- Kathy), her nieces: Rebecca Kenyon (husband- Thomas) and Dr. Virginia Seaman (husband- John) and their families. She will be greatly missed by her Mercy Community, and, in a special way by Helen Ruane, RSM, with whom she entered the Sisters of Mercy 78 years ago, and by the residents of the Baggot Street Community.

The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff at the Frances Warde Towers and the Baggot Street Community at Saint Mary Home for their loving and compassionate care for our Sister Eileen.

Sister Eileen’s Funeral Mass and wake will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Saint Mark the Evangelist Church, 467 South Quaker Lane, West Hartford. The wake will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury, CT.

Please consider donations in memory of Sister Eileen McKenna to the Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott Street, 1st floor, West Hartford, CT  06110-2335. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.