Trish McKenna

Patricia “Trish” L. McKenna (nee Ghirardi), age 50 of Pompton Lakes, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, March 30, 2019.  She’s been a lifelong resident of Pompton Lakes.

Trish was currently a Special Education Para-Professional at the Lincoln Elementary School in Pompton Lakes, where she’s been for nearly twelve years.  She had infinite patience, a heart of gold, and truly loved the students with whom she worked.  She was gifted with a special disposition which was ideally suited to helping children.

Trish grew up in Pompton Lakes and graduated from Pompton Lakes High School with the class of 1986.  She loved her hometown and met her husband Tom there in 1997.  They were introduced by family friends and dated for a few years before finally getting married on June 13, 1999 at Christ Episcopal Church in Pompton Lakes.  Tom recalls what an excellent cook Trish was, making the best Lasagna and Chicken Cacciatore.  She was also a devoted mother to her three children, but there was no one more special than her beloved little granddaughter; Isabella.  Trish spent every second she could with Isabella, and showered her with love.

Summertime was probably her favorite season, and she was a true “sun worshiper.”  Trish loved floating around the pool with a Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee in hand, or tanning on the beach at Wildwood during their annual family vacation.  While most people were shading themselves, Trish was soaking up the rays.  

Trish is survived by her loving husband of nearly twenty years; Thomas of Pompton Lakes, her three children; Marisa, Tyler and Timmy, all of Pompton Lakes, her granddaughter; Isabella, her mother; Patricia Anderson of N. Carolina, her mother-in-law; Maria McKenna of Riverdale, two sisters; Allyson Iannelli and her husband Nicholas of Vernon, Kathleen Ghirardi of Kinnelon, a brother; Charles Ghirardi and his wife Amy of Pompton Plains, her brother-in-law; Scott Graf and his wife Denise of Riverdale, her brother-in-law Timothy McGovern and his wife Kristin of Pequannock; and nieces and nephews; Nikole, Rachel, and Caitlyn Ghirardi, Michael and Samantha Iannelli, Carly and Dylan Graf, Braeden and Chase McGovern, and her most beloved dog; Sandy.

For those wishing to make a donation in Trish’s memory, please consider the Alpine Learning Group, 777 Paramus Rd., Paramus, NJ 07652 or visit www.alpinelearningroup.org.