Patricia M. McKenna, 88, of Traverse City passed away peacefully at Traverse Manor assisted living facility on February 12, 2024.

Pat was born on March 6, 1935 in Bay City to the late Howard and Letitia (Heaney) Macdonald, where she graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1952. Pat was a lifelong learner and after high school she earned her RN from Mercy Central School of Nursing, then earning her BA in management, and Masters of Education from Aquinas College. She wore many hats in her career from running hospital education departments, to becoming an assistant nursing administrator. Before she retired, she was a partner in a continuing education business for healthcare.

Pat was married to the love of her life, Richard H. McKenna on January 6, 1979.

She enjoyed visiting with friends, cooking, traveling, music (classical and opera), film, theatre and mah-jongg, but her true passion was reading. She typically would be found with her nose in a mystery or historical fiction novel

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard and twin sister Letitia.

She is survived by her son Stuart Goodman; daughter Annie Goodman; step daughters Linda (Bill) Wesley, Terri (Gary) Climes, Joan Strahan; grandchildren Megan (Matthew) Brickner, Lauren (Nate) Mackovjak, Allison Climes (Colleen Kenny), Caitlin (Spencer) Wild, Rachel Ryan, Heather (Greg) Paquette and great grandchildren Lucas, Conrad, Emmett, Anna and Ava.

The memorial service celebrating her life will take place in the Gardens at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning one hour prior. A luncheon will follow.

She will be laid to rest at the Elm Lawn Cemetery in Bay City at a later date.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to Alzheimer's Association or the Cherryland Humane Society.