Peggy M. McKenna, 83, of Orange, Texas died Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Baptist Orange Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Joseph P. Daleo and Reverend William Manger. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A Rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m., officiated by Deacon Melvin Payne.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas on February 24, 1927, Peggy was the daughter of Mercedes Goudeau and Thomas Kuykendal McCrosky.
Peggy was one of the founders of the hospice movement in America. She was a founding member of Southeast Texas Hospice in Orange, the very first hospice in the state of Texas as well played a major role in developing hospices across Texas and the United States. She is listed in the Congressional Record for her efforts in establishing hospice as a health care option for Medicare.
With a heart as big as Texas, this Daughter of the Republic of Texas was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church and served her community over the years through Camp Fire, Boy Scouts, PTA, HUD Planning committee, DAR, UDC, and the Shangri La greenhouse.
Peggy graduated from the Charity Hospital of New Orleans School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse in 1947.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas Adam McKenna, Jr.; and brother, Voss McCrosky.
Peggy is survived by her daughter, Mary McKenna of Orange; sons, Thomas Adam McKenna, III and wife Suzanne of Cypress, Michael Gerard McKenna and wife Mary Beth of Baton Rouge, LA, Patrick Joseph McKenna of Bridge City; grandchildren, Joshua A. McKenna, Sarah M. Chavez and husband Marco, Alexandra L. McKenna; great-grandchildren, Thor McKenna and Baldur Darby; and brother, Thomas "Pete" McCrosky and wife Sybil of Iowa, LA.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Michael G. McKenna, Thomas Adam McKenna, III, Joshua A. McKenna, Ricky J. Richard, Patrick J. McKenna, and Eddie Coppage. Honorary Pallbearers will be the staff at Southeast Texas Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Texas Hospice, P.O. Box 2385, Orange, Texas 77631-2385.