Beth McKenna
May 14, 1942 ~ July 31, 2016
Beth McKenna, age 74, of Unionville, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness, Sunday, July 31, 2016 at UH Hospital in Cleveland. She was born May 14, 1942 in Lakewood Ohio to Edith (Gunvalsen) and Thomas Collins Thornburg. She married Gary McKenna in Sparta NC on May 13, 1961.
Beth graduated from Mentor High School in 1960. She went on to earn her BA at Waynesburg College in PA. She received her Masters and Doctorate degrees in the years that followed.Beth co-owned The Needlepoint in Mentor, and had her own television show called the "The Shapes of Geometry" which ran from 1980-1982 through PBS. Beth also taught at Mentor, Willoughby--Eastlake and Painesville Twp. School Systems. Her lifelong passions were teaching, needlepoint, designing, and traveling.
Beth is survived by her husband, Gary McKenna; sons, Matthew (Vasilia) McKenna, David (Lori) McKenna; grandchildren, Aidan, Ceili, Alexander and Aaron McKenna; sister, Marilyn Kern; brothers, Tom Thornburg, Jack Thornburg, Dale (Terri) Thornburg; mother-in-law, Betty McKenna; sister-in-law, Kay (Frank) Murdoco; brothers-in law, Patrick (Nancy) McKenna, Michael (Judy) McKenna; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law, Donald McKenna.
Friends will be received from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2016 at The Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio 44057. A Celebration of Life will follow visitation at 8:00 p.m.
Friends may leave condolences online at www.behmfuneral.com
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So sad to hear of her passing. She was great educator and friend. I will always remember her sound advice and her fantastic humor. Condolences to your family for this loss.