Steven Patrick McKenna

Steve was born on May 6, 1970, in Annapolis, Maryland, to parents Catherine (Cass) Janet and Robert (Bob) Edward McKenna. He was a sweet and mischievous child who absolutely adored his mother and admired his father. He was clever, hard-working, and a young entrepreneur: as a middle schooler, Steve assembled his own apple computer and founded a successful lawn care business. He attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, where he was a dedicated altar boy, and later attended Chaminade (Madonna) High School in Hollywood, Florida. Graduating in May of 1988, Steve received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and although he successfully completed the indoctrination training, soon realized it was not the place for him. He promptly got on a train and returned home to Florida and attended the University of North Florida for a year before transferring to Florida State University in Tallahassee. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Accounting in 1992, Steve followed the advice of a trusted advisor and applied to the Masters of Accounting program at The University of Texas at Austin.

On the first weekend of November 1992, Steve traveled to New Orleans with a few acquaintances; on that same weekend, 4th grade teacher Anastasia Joy Willette, also traveled to New Orleans with her three dear friends. It was God’s divine plan that the two met first at F&M’s Patio Bar near Tulane University. As they stood on a pool table and chatted for hours, the back and forth conversations were a fateful exchange of “me too” as they discussed family, life, childhood, future dreams and Catholicim. It was that night that Steve and Anastasia decided to get married and proceeded to name two of their future children. Later that same day, they coincidentally met at Port of Call restaurant followed by a third planned meeting at the fire fountain of Pat O’Briens. Both called their parents to say that they had found the love of their life and that they would be getting married the following year. Steve told his mother that he met “a midwest farmer’s daughter, Anastasia Joy Willette.” His mother nearly fell off her chair because she had just traveled to Anastasia Island, where she had lit a candle at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche with the prayer intention that Steve would meet a nice girl. Prior to the official engagement, Anastasia brought her wedding dress, met with the priest, and reserved her hometown church in Blue Earth, Minnesota, despite her mother’s reasonable inquiry: “are you sure he’s going to ask you to marry you?” But sure enough, Steven Patrick proposed to Anatasia Joy on New Year’s Eve December 31, 1992 as New Year’s Eve is the luckiest time for an Irishman to propose marriage. The two married the following New Year’s Eve. December 31, 2023 (123123) would have been their 30th wedding anniversary.

Their marriage was blessed with three beautiful children: Summer, Tully, and Conley. Without a doubt it was Steve’s calling to be a father, husband, son, brother, friend, mentor and confidant. His love of God, family and health was apparent in everything he did. Steven Patrick McKenna was a good man, a kind soul, a gifted writer, and ever humble. Even in his last days, one of the best moments of the day was walking the McKenna dogs: AngieFreckles and NoraSinclair. The following information would have embarrassed him, but for the sake of his children and his future grandchildren, we share some of the most meaningful pursuits of Steve’s life:

❖ Faithful leader of the #McCrazyMcKennas

❖ Active member of Our Lady of Grace: Men ACTS Retreat team member and speaker, Teen ACTS Retreat volunteer, ACTS Core member, Parish Council member, Adoration adorer since 2013, Knights of Columbus member, co-founder of Theology on Tap, and faithful attendee of Bishop Sheen Saturday Study

❖ 24 year employee at USAA: mentor to many and humble servant leader

❖ Pilgrim of the Camino de Santiago across Spain, dedicated to his late father (please see Steve McKenna’s Facebook Album for detailed posts on his 2019 journey to include an every growing list of hashtags and his curated music selections)

❖ SUPERFAN of U2 and his children’s passions… all of them, always

❖ Keystone of his Wednesday Pickleball league

❖ Bataan Memorial Death March 2019 finisher in White Sands, New Mexico

❖ Founding member of the San Antonio Youth Lacrosse Association and a member of the San Antonio Harp and Shamrock Society

❖ Creator of the Inishfree School of Irish Dance Feis program and the Incarnate Word High School mother/daughter and father/daughter banquet programs

❖ Ever the researcher: Steve could be counted on for learning every detail about everything and making the best, most informed decisions for his family. He was extremely conscientious, meticulous, and detail-oriented and thought of his family first in every way.

To honor Steve, his wife and three children traveled to Spain just after his sudden passing. As a family of four, they retraced Steve’s steps along the Camino de Santiago by visiting the Cathedral de Santiago, the spiritual end of the Camino. The following day, the family traveled to Finisterre, Spain, “the end of the world.” It was there, as the waves crashed against the rocks, that the family read Steve’s beautifully-written letters together. The family also placed a rock with the word “trust” at the foot of the cross and left a ring of thorns, representing Steve’s agony, at the very cross he was photographed upon his completion of the Camino in June 2019. Although we will never ever get over his early departure from this Earth, we understand that in the truest sense, Steve will now be with us always and forever until we meet again at Heaven’s Gate.

Steve was preceded in death by his father and best friend, Bob McKenna “Pop,” who passed on August 15, 2018 (The Feast of the Assumption), and his dear niece, Ingrid Arleen Willette “Ingi,” who passed on May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day).

Steven is survived by his best friend, wife of 30 years, and caregiver Anastasia Joy McKenna, and their precious children:● Summer Anastasia McKenna● Tully Slaine McKenna● Conley Brennan McKenna

His Beloved Mother Catherine (Cass) McKenna of Atlantic Beach, Florida

His Brother Robert (Bob) McKenna of Newport News, Virginia, his wife Kathy, and their children:● Bobby & Caitin McKenna, and their baby Mae● Brian & Erika McKenna● Molly & Luke Farinholt, and their children Lucy and John Paul● Matthew McKenna

His Brother Tim McKenna of Hiawassee, Georgia, his wife Monica, and their children:● Emme McKenna & her partner Jake● Liv McKenna

And His Godchildren: Bobby McKenna, Carlie True Kane, and Owen Joseph Weis

The family will receive friends and family at the following services:

VISITATION AND ROSARYFriday, November 24, 2023Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church223 E. Summit, San Antonio, TX 782125:00-7:00pm Visitation7:00pm RosaryA fish fry reception will follow in the Our Lady of Grace Madonna Room

FUNERAL MASS AND RECEPTION7:15pm on Saturday, November 25, 2023Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church223 E. Summit, San Antonio, TX 78212

Click here to view the service for Steven McKenna

The officiant will be Father Jorge Campos, Steven’s confessor and dear friend

A celebration of life will follow at The Cove (606 W. Cypress St, San Antonio, TX 78212)

Gifts for the Family and Memorial Donations:

Cards and condolences may be mailed to:TX McKennas209 Primera DriveSan Antonio, TX 78212

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes plants or donations to The American Chronic Pain Association at this link or through a check mailed to:

American Chronic Pain Association11937 W. 119th Street, Suite 216,Overland Park, KS 66213EIN: 25-1429052

Final Notes

The Truth Will Set You Free, Living In The Moment, All For The Glory of GodIf you or someone you know has a thoughts of suicide, please reach out for 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress call or text 988 for help or visit SpeakingofSuicide.com.Arrangements are with: Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 227-8221