JoAnn McKenzie

JoAnn McKenzie, a kind and loving soul, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, at the age of 87. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, JoAnn was the daughter of Jim and Loretta Fleener. She attended Franklin High School.

In 1954, JoAnn married her first husband, Dave DeHart, beginning a life together as a military family, filled with resilience and adventure.

JoAnn’s journey led her through a variety of professions, from working as a bank teller and in retail, to ultimately retiring after many dedicated years as an insurance claims administrator.

In 2007, JoAnn found love again and married her second husband, Rod McKenzie. Their later years together were marked by companionship, faith, and shared joy.

Although JoAnn was baptized in the Catholic Church, her faith journey evolved, and in her later years she found a spiritual home at First Covenant Church. Her devotion to helping others was evident in her volunteer work at My Father’s House, a shelter supporting houseless families—an effort that reflected her deeply compassionate heart.

JoAnn enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: walking, reading, going to movies, and playing pinochle with friends. She was known for her warm smile, kind demeanor, and unwavering desire to make others feel loved and supported.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Ure; her son, Michael DeHart; and her brother, Rod Fleener. JoAnn was deeply loved by those around her and will be remembered for her generosity, faith, and the warmth she shared with everyone she met.

A small service in her honor will be held at Aveena Memory Care, where she resided and was cherished by both staff and fellow residents.

JoAnn’s legacy of kindness and faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.