Joan G. Kenna

Joan Giese Kenna died September 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving children. Recently of North Branford, CT, she was a long-time resident of Woodbridge and Madison, and the wife of Frank Kenna, Jr. for 64 years.

A daughter of the late Margaret and Herman Giese, Joan was born in Hartford, Connecticut on April 25, 1930. Joan's biological father was Donald Colman Griffin (Margaret's first husband), who died in an accident in 1934. Margaret's second husband, Herman, adopted Joan and he was a wonderful father.

Predeceased by her cherished husband, Joan’s beloved survivors include daughters Dr. Margaret A. Kenna, of Newton, MA, Cynthia K. Mullins, of Ridgefield, CT, and Christine J. Kenna, of Stonington, CT, and sons Frank Kenna III (Kimberly) of Pine Orchard, CT, Herman Robert Kenna (Karen) of Salisbury, VT, and Matthew Gilbert Kenna (Janet) of Durango, CO. She has been blessed with sixteen wonderful grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Joan was a graduate of the Prospect Hill School (now Hopkins). She entered Smith College in 1948 and left in 1951 after having completed her junior year, to marry Frank Kenna. She was active in alumni affairs, returning in 1980 as an Ada Comstock Scholar, and graduating in 1982.

Joan was a trustee of the Hopkins School and a board member of Center Friends of the Easter Seals Society, the Friends of the Woodbridge Library, the Yale New Haven Hospital Auxiliary, and the New Haven Junior League. An enthusiastic amateur painter, she enjoyed many activities and lessons at the Creative Arts Workshop.

In later years her “happy place” was at the Madison Beach Club on a Friday night, dancing with Frank before he passed, and later still enjoying clams on the half shell and a glass of chardonnay overlooking the water, flanked by her children, including just 48 hours before her passing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Frank Kenna Jr. Fund at the Community Foundation (cfgnh.org/articles/the-frank-kenna-jr-fund ), Ada Comstock Scholars at Smith College (https://www.smith.edu/give-smith/smith-fund ) or Elevate, the Evergreen Woods employee scholarship fund (call 203-488-8000) if friends so desire. A memorial will be held on October 10, 2026 at 11 a.m. If you would like to attend, contact [email protected] for details and to RSVP or visit https://everloved.com/life-of/joan-kenna/