1936 – 2015

AUBURN — Irma “Carole” Edrie McKenna, 79, of Auburn, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, Dec. 19, with her family by her side.

She was born on Jan. 18, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Cloran and Edrie (Williston) MacDonald.

She was born and raised on Miramichi Bay, in Miramichi, N.B., Canada. At age 17, she moved to Rumford to live with her aunt, Beatrice Haines. She attended Mexico High School and graduated in 1953 and later worked as a chemist in the Rumford Mill. She met and married her husband of 56 years, Walter who passed away last January. Carole was a member of St. Michael’s Church for many years.

Carole raised seven children, including three adopted children and many foster children. She was a homemaker and foster parent for many years until returning to work as an evening caregiver and teen councilor for the Sweetser Facility.

Carole enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crossword puzzles, puzzles, reading and her many travels with friends to many events and functions. Most of all, she enjoyed planting flowers and spending summers at the family camp on Worthley Pond in Peru.

Carole will be remembered as a compassionate caring person who devoted her life to her family and friends. She especially took care of her daughter, Lisa, with cerebral palsy for 40½ years until her passing in 2002.

She is survived by her four daughters, Terri and her husband, Gerald, of Hermon, Susan Carver and her husband, James, of Minot, Barbara McKenna of Portland, Tiffany Savage and her husband, Michael, of Turner; one son, Michael and his wife, Robin McKenna, of Strong; two granddaughters, Bethany Couture-Rosado and her husband, Alexander, of Poland Spring and Sandra Gilson of Portland; five grandsons, Travis Couture of Hermon, Christopher Carver of Buckfield, Brandon McKenna of Auburn, John Gilson of Portland, and Alexander McKenna of Phillips; two sisters, June Gillard and Vivian Lapointe of Canada; and one brother, Coby MacDonald of Canada. She has many nieces and nephews from the Rumford/Mexico area and New Brunswick, Canada.

She was predeceased by her husband, Walter, in 2015; a son, Darren in 2014; her daughter, Lisa in 2002; a sister, Faith McKnight; and two brothers, Richard and Kerry MacDonald of Canada; as well as her beloved cousin and friend, Sally DeWolfe.

She will be sadly missed by all of her family.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.