In memory of Patricia (Patty) McKenna

Patty established McKenna Roofing & Construction, of which she served as president and has been a member of NERCA since 1999.

It is with profound sadness that the family announced that Patricia Smith (Lemois) McKenna, 66, beloved wife, mother, gigi, aunt and friend, passed away on December 18, 2024, at Hope Hospice.

Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Carole (Lucas) Lemois. Patty started her roofing career at Patrick J. McKenna roofing in the 1980s. She later established McKenna Roofing and Construction where she served as President until this year. Patty was an accomplished and recognized leader in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts roofing industry, particularly as one of the first female leaders in the industry.

Patty leaves a legacy of remarkable generosity, strength and compassion. Patty was generous with her time and love in all the communities of which she took part. She loved “giving trees” and teaching her kids the importance of giving to those less fortunate, especially the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen. Her door was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, a meal or a listening ear. If she heard someone didn’t have a place to go for the holidays, she set another place at her table for them.

Patty loved being at the beach in Rhode Island or by the pool in Jupiter, FL. She was a frequent concertgoer, especially Bruce Springsteen, or whomever one of her nieces and nephews wanted to see. She was a friend of Bill W. for 40 years.

Above all, Patty loved children. When her kids left home, she started watching three of her nieces and nephews overnight every other Friday, which grew to over 12 kids, including great nieces and nephews. The highlight of their year was the annual trips to Block Island, which they did for nearly 20 years.

She is survived by her faithful and steadfast husband, Patrick J. McKenna. Besides her husband, she leaves three children, Patrick J. McKenna, Jr. and his wife Ashley of Charlestown, Lacy Perry and her husband James of Washington, D.C. and D. Justin Smith and his wife Kayla of Lincoln; three brothers — Stephen R. Lemois and his wife Sharon of Texas; Bruce Lemois and his wife Maria of Cumberland; and Daniel Lemois of Florida.

Her greatest joy was becoming a Gigi to her five grandchildren: Julia and Jonathan Perry; Rose McKenna; and Jacob and Maya Smith.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Heather Smith, and son, Justin D. Smith, and her granddaughter, Layla Smith.

She was so loved.

Patty’s visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. in the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 10:00am in St. Margaret Church, 1098 Pawtucket Avenue, Rumford. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of fowers, contributions in Patty's memory may be made to St. Mary Academy-Bay View, 3070 Pawtucket Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island 02915.