MCKENNA, Idabelle Bessie (nee MITSON) - May 19, 1941 – May 12, 2022
Idabelle passed away peacefully at the palliative care unit of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto, May 12, 2022 just shy of her 81st birthday.
Born in Cherry River, PQ, she was the daughter of the late George and Cordelia Mitson; and sister to the late Leona Buzzell (Austin) and Graydon Mitson (Dorothy).
Idabelle was the beloved wife of F. Peter McKenna for 53 years; loving mother to Gordon McKenna (Sandra) and David McKenna (Natalie); and treasured grandmother of Beatrix, Madeleine, Violet, Duncan and Graydon.
Ida grew up in Quebec's beautiful Eastern Townships, living in Cherry River, Ayer's Cliff and Magog.
Beginning her post-secondary education at Bishop's University she went on to study at the Ottawa Civic Hospital School for Medical Technology (1959-61) and worked in bacteriology at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.
She then completed her B.Sc. (Agr.) at Macdonald College, McGill, winning many scholarships and medals – Macdonald Metal ('63), Lt. Governor's Medal ('64), the Bordon Company Scholarship ('64) and the University Scholarship in 1964.
Meeting Peter in Ottawa, she settled in Toronto to continue her career and then raise her family, where she was active in the Henry Farm community. Ida was always of a sharp mind, supremely organized, generous and kind.
Full of wisdom, recipes and life lessons, she will be sadly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, cherished extended family in Quebec, in-laws and other relatives and friends.
A special thanks to the loving and caring staff of North York General Hospital and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. in the Glendale Funeral Home Chapel, 1810 Albion Rd. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the start of the Service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or The Salvation Army.