Joycelyn Patricia McKenna

When she was born on a cold winter day in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 15, 1939, her parents Elio Douglas and Alma Thomas Douglas welcomed their gorgeous first born baby girl, Joycelyn Patricia, with love, hope and wonder. Were they here today, oh the tales they could tell of her keen mind, bright and bubbly personality, curiosity of the world around her and her artistic spirit that flourished with her many talents. Not only was beauty bestowed upon her, she was also gifted with a chef’s talent for Creole cuisine; an eye and a flair for drawing and sewing fashions, and making any space a home with her own decorative style.

Being raised a devout Catholic, Joycelyn completed her primary education at Saint Mary Academy where, in her senior year (1957), she was nominated Homecoming Queen of Saint Augustine Catholic School for boys. Although she dreamt of attending Xavier University to study fashion design, she decided to take the more often-traveled road of marrying her high school sweetheart, Dixon N. McKenna, Jr. on June 7, 1958. Soon after, they ventured to Los Angeles, California to start their lives together. Their union brought four children into the world: Douglas Michael (deceased ~ 2014), Marcia Maria, Tina Maria, and Darren Patrick. Joycelyn raised all of her children with a solid background in Catholicism and a loving knowledge and relationship with Christ the Savior. She also passed along her love for cooking, thirst for truth and knowledge, respect and responsibility toward mankind.

In the years to come, having divorced and meandering through a few false starts to complete her secondary education, Joycelyn moved to Portland, Oregon in 1978. Here, she found great success at Portland State University, completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, as well as her Master of Science in Education and Counseling. She beamed with pride over these hard-earned accomplishments and brought with her the knowledge and innate compassion for those she served in her career with the Urban League and Portland State University, where she facilitated, coordinated and developed a number of programs in their Educational Opportunities Program. She was revered by staff members and the students that she assisted in realizing their dreams of higher education. Her culinary talent also had an outlet in her part ownership of DRJ’s Seafood & Deli.

In her golden years, befallen with illnesses associated with diabetes, Joycelyn begrudgingly accepted an early retirement. Although this allowed her the freedom to travel and spend time with her immediate and extended family, Joycelyn continued to search for avenues to sate her desire to learn and create. Her vast interest and knowledge of astrology culminated in the brain child of her web site Auras of Astrology, and her well sought after recipes encouraged her to launch a collection of her Creole culinary creations. Everyone within her circle marveled at each dish prepared with love and unsurpassed flavors!

With her “family” at the Fontaine, her residence of the past sixteen years, Joycelyn enjoyed the company and companionship of her friends, including her closest “allies on the roof top,” Burnetta, Liz and Jeanette, where they celebrated dinner of the month and book clubs, toasting their lives from the awe-inspiring view.

Finally, in her last few years, her body succumbed to renal failure. Still, with tenacity of spirit and hope for tomorrow, Joycelyn’s self-discipline served her well in maintaining a semblance of vitality. Her kidney dialysis “family” enjoyed her presence and sense of self-preservation, always marveling at her sense of style and will to carry on, even in the face of a newly diagnosed lung disease that was deemed terminal.

On a cold, blistering December 8, 2017 when she passed away, Joycelyn was surrounded by her children, Tina and Darren, holding each hand, and her daughter, Marcia, holding vigil in Delaware, as she took her last breaths after fighting with all her might for more than three days. The peace that covered her face at her passing is the solace that her children hold on to, knowing that she was set free to be surrounded by complete love in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

She was predeceased in life by her parents, Elio Douglas and Alma Thomas Douglas; her sister, Beverly Douglas; and her first born son, Douglas Michael McKenna, Sr. She is survived by her loving sister, Elaine Pierre, nephews Rene and Devin, nieces Shelia and Sheryl, a her beloved goddaughter Cynthia and a host of extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Joycelyn’s legacy continues with her children: Marcia, Tina and Darren; her grand-children, Christina Maria, Jonté Michael, Catherine Maria, Douglas Michael, Jr., and Alycia JaNean, as well as through her great-grandchildren Lajuan Moné, Aviana Adline, Jonté Michael II, Akira Linda, Emillia Maria, and twins Heaven Marie and Neveah Brooks. They will all be taught the story of a phenomenal woman who lived her life through adversity and triumph to come out on the other side of victory, paving the way for their dreams.

Arrangements under the direction of Zeller Chapel Of The Roses, Portland, OR.