Betty Lou McKenna's Obituary
Betty Lou McKenna
Betty Lou McKenna, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, February 14th, 2023. She celebrated her 85th birthday on January 6th. Betty Lou was born and raised in Dover, Delaware. She was the daughter of farmer Gooden Marvel Darling and Jeanette Dorothy Darling (Aaron). Betty Lou dedicated her life to serving Kent County and the surrounding areas. She touched the hearts of so many people and would do anything to support her family and community. Among many of her talents, she used her voice to create change that was for the benefit of all those around her.
Betty Lou graduated from Caesar Rodney, Class of ‘56. She later went on to serve as the secretary to her graduating class. She was former Secretary/Clerk of Council for the City of Harrington, retired from Kent County Levy Court, and served on numerous campaigns for the Democrat party, including Joseph Biden’s campaign for Delaware State Senate and her late husband’s campaign, John Mckenna, former Levy Court Commissioner. Since 1960, she has been an active member of the Democrat party, including her service with the 28th Democrat District, Kent County Executive Committee, and the Recorder of Deeds for Kent County for over 20 years, until she retired this January. In addition to her life in politics, she was a former treasurer and secretary of the Delaware Federation of Women’s Clubs, a member of the Camden, Wyoming Women of the Moose and Fire Company Auxiliary, and an active member with the American Legion.
Betty Lou was preceded in death by her brother Ronnie Darling, late husband John McKenna, daughter Joni Johnson, and granddaughter Anna Christine Carver.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Marvel and Vanita Darling, son Kenneth Cooper and grandchildren Kelly McKenna and Kenneth Cooper Jr., her great-grandchildren Grant and Ashlyn Clark, Glen Carver, and great-great grandson Jack. In addition, Betty Lou has 6 step-children from her late husband, John McKenna.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24th, at Traders Funeral Home in Dover, family and friends calling from 11, Services will begin at 12pm, with burial to follow at Sharon Hill Cemetery. The family is accepting donations to help with the funeral expenses through the GoFundMe link https://gofund.me/ddbcd8c2 and/or checks can be sent directly to Traders Funeral Home. Letters of condolences may be sent to http://www.traderfh.com
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