Thomas William McKenna, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away with family in his heart and a lifetime of memories behind him. Tom was 84 years old.

Born on May 15, 1941, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Tom was the eldest of seven children of William and Violet McKenna, both of whom preceded him in death. He spent his early years in Wisconsin and Minnesota before his family settled in Torrington, Wyoming, where he helped work the family farm. He later reflected that one of the most meaningful advancements of his childhood was the arrival of electricity and telephone service to their rural farm life.

Tom attended the University of Wyoming, earning his bachelor's degree in 1963 and a master's degree in statistics in 1965. He was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1964 to 1970.

While at the University of Wyoming, Tom met the love of his life, Sherri Sue Shwen. Together, they began a lifelong adventure, first settling in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, before moving in 1966 to Rockville, Maryland. That same year, Tom joined Westat, Inc., where he built an extraordinary 52-year career, serving as Director of the Health Research Group, Executive Vice President, and member of the Board of Directors. At his retirement, he was the longest-serving employee in the company's history.

Tom and Sherri made their home in Rockville from 1966 to 2018, where they built a life rich in family, friendships, and community involvement. Tom was active in his local church, community associations, and the Rockville Sister City Corporation, and he enjoyed coaching his children's sports. He formed many lifelong friendships in the Fallsmead community, where he enjoyed playing tennis and working in his yard.

A lifelong learner, he had an insatiable love of reading and a deep appreciation for history. He possessed one of the most analytical minds of anyone who knew him and delighted in thoughtful debate, often engaging family and friends in spirited discussions that could stretch on at length. As Tom grew older, he became increasingly sentimental about family, taking great care to share his knowledge of family history and his Irish roots, and to ensure that each and every member of his family knew how important they were to him. He found joy not only in learning, but in sharing that knowledge—teaching his children and grandchildren the lessons he had gathered throughout his life. He was deeply proud of each of them and made sure they knew it.

Tom and Sherri shared a passion for travel, particularly throughout Europe, often cycling with friends from the Sister City program and Pinneberg, Germany. Family life was centered around cherished traditions, including summers at the Delaware shore and ski trips to Colorado.

In recent years, Tom and Sherri split their time between Marco Island, FL, and Millville, DE, enjoying an active lifestyle filled with tennis, biking, and golf. Tom was also actively involved in many activities at St. Mark's Church in Marco Island, where he found both community and purpose. They recently purchased a retirement home in Southern Pines, NC, where they had planned to move this summer.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Sherri, of Millville, DE; his three children, Christopher McKenna (Vivian) of Belmar, NJ; Kelly Vanhoozier (Roger) of Charlotte Hall, MD; and Courtney McGuirt (Wyman) of Pinehurst, NC. He is also survived by nine grandchildren—Marissa (Joe), Madison (Davis), Jacqueline (Ethan), Davis, Caitlin, Dylan, Haley, Kyle, and Morgan—and one great-grandchild, Carina. He is further survived by six siblings: Michael, Patrick, Margaret Ann, Constance, Brian, and Maureen.

Tom will be remembered for his humility, infectious laughter, sharp wit, and boundless zest for life, as well as his selfless and generous support of those he loved. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, and the countless lives he touched.

It is with deep sadness that we share his passing, and with deep gratitude that we celebrate his life.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Martha's Episcopal Church, 117 Maplewood Street, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tom's memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Disciple Nations International .