Sylvia M. McKenny

Sylvia M. McKenny, age 86, passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Sylvia was born on May 27, 1939 in Valentine, Nebraska to the late Dwight and Mamie (Waara) Harder. She was preceded in death by her husband Skip McKenny and sister Lois Peterson. Sylvia graduated from O’Neill High School in 1957. Following her graduation from Emanuel Lutheran College of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska in1965. Sylvia worked as a hospital nurse in Redlands, California before moving to Westminster, Colorado where she and Skip enjoyed traveling to visit grandchildren and sites abroad.

Sylvia was a deeply spiritual and religious person and an accomplished pianist. She shared that gift often, playing for church services and, on occasion, accompanying her daughters, Cindy and Gwen, in song. Sylvia and Skip spent their retirement years in Green Valley, Arizona, and following the death of her beloved Skip in 2011, Sylvia moved to Columbus near the home of her brother John.

Sylvia will be deeply missed by her daughters Cindy England and Gwen Little, her five grandchildren: Christopher Herrell, Courtney Herrell, Katie Flowers, Kevin Flowers, Natalie Flowers; her brother and sister-in-law John and Donna Harder, her nieces Jenny DeCapua and Susie Dougherty, her cousin Carol Pinkall, and her close friends Lynette McKenny and Michelle Strand.

Sylvia’s memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43221 on Sunday, December 7, 2025, beginning at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Covenant’s Memorial Fund. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.