from The News-Leader, Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky

Thursday, October 12, 1905

Death of Mrs. McKenna

Mrs. Martha McKenna, one of the oldest and most respected ladies of Springfield, died at her home here Monday afternoon at about 4 o’clock, after an illness of several weeks.  Her death was due to the infirmities incident to old age, she having been in failing health for several years.

Mrs. McKenna was 82 years of age, and was born and reared in Springfield.  Her maiden name was Craycroft, she being a member of the well-known family of that name who were among the earlier settlers of Springfield.  The deceased was twice married but never had any children.  Her first husband was John Stark, who died about the year 1856.  Later on she was married to Mr. Arthur McKenna, who has been dead about 25 years.  Since the death of her last husband Mrs. McKenna had lived at the old homestead with her sister, Miss Bettie Craycroft.  Their home was one whose latch string ever hung outside for their friends and all who needed sympathy and more substantial help.

Mrs. McKenna was a woman of tender sympathies, entering into the sorrows and joys of all of her friends, and always evincing a kindly interest in all that concerned the welfare of her friends and neighbors.  No appeal for help was ever made to her but was granted in so far as her ability would permit.  Her life was like the seasons – her youth like the beautiful springtime of promise, the maturity like the summer time with its fullness of realizations and old age like the autumn when the harvest is over, she waited patiently for the Master to garner her soul in the Great Beyond.

The funeral took place on yesterday morning from St. Dominic Church, of which the deceased was a devout member.

Martha J. McKenna, born May 20, 1825, died October 9, 1905, buried in St. Rose Cemetery, Washington County