The seasons will come and the seasons will go but the memory of Frances McKenna will never lose its glow. She entered this world on March 30, 1921 as the first child of Percy and Catherine Wannemacher and left it on Dec. 22, 2007.

The faithful widow of Joseph McKenna, Frances' 86-plus years on this earth were to the benefit of all who had the good fortune to have known her. As a member of the greatest generation she saw it all, the Great Depression (her father ran an animal feed store in Farmingdale), World War II (her husband Joseph served five years in the United States Army in Greenland), the bucolic '50s, the raging '60s and so on. Through it all, Frances remained steadfast in her conviction that we were placed on this earth to serve our fellow man. Throughout her life her priorities were Faith, Family and Country.

Raised during the Depression, Frances attended Queen of the Rosary Academy in Amityville. Upon graduation, she worked briefly in the Manhattan garment center and then for Grummans on Long Island. It was during her stay at Grummans that Frances had the opportunity to meet returning serviceman, Sergeant First Class Joseph McKenna.

On Dec. 28, 1946, Frances and Joseph were married and, shortly thereafter, they settled in Joseph's hometown of Westbury where she would remain for the next 60 years. As true believers of community service, Franny and Joe epitomized the spirit of small town American life. For the next 22 years, theirs was a Norman Rockwell life.

Then in 1968 Joseph died suddenly and Frances was left with the task of raising her daughter Carol and her two young sons, Dennis and Michael. Then Dennis left her in 1976 as a result of an automobile accident on Christmas morning. Despite the tragedy of the early death of her husband and her oldest son, and the loss of a newborn daughter, Patricia in 1955, Frances never complained or questioned her fate. Her approach to life was cemented in a faith that defied despair. Despite all the tragedies that befell her she was always buoyed by a sense of joy. For Frances there was no winter of discontent, only the joy of a bright snowy morning. She thanked God for the sun, the rain, the snow and the stars, as she viewed them as special gifts.

After Joseph's death and despite the rigors of raising her children and putting them through school she continued to serve the community. A natural-born leader and multitasker long before that expression came into vogue, Frances was selected invariably to manage, organize and inspire. Her résumé of community participation as a volunteer included 56 years as a volunteer with the Westbury League of Mercy Medical Center, 20 years with the Westbury Senior Center, service with the March of Dimes, the Historical Society of the Town of North Hempstead (Commissioner of the 1976 Bi Centennial Committee), the Westbury Historical Society and 60 years as a parishioner of her beloved St. Brigids Catholic Church where she served as a fundraiser, altar upkeeper, parish outreach volunteer and extraordinary minister. Her awards and citations included Kiwanis Club Woman of the Year, Westbury chapter 1974; Nassau County Clubwoman of the year, 1968; Town of North Hempstead distinguished citizen award, 2001; and the Westbury Senior Center C. Walter Swanson Memorial award 2001.

Her religious faith, patriotism and dedication to her family and friends were unabashed and unequivocal.

During the '80s, when many were burning our flag she began a tradition that would endure throughout her life. Anyone fortunate enough to attend a McKenna family gathering will remember that the highlight of the evening was the sight of Frances, clad in a gown bearing the design of her beloved flag waving one, leading a procession of young and old around the house or yard as everyone sang God Bless America.

Frances' final acts on this earth were signing cards for her beloved grandchildren, Fred Edwards of New York City and Erin, Joseph, Ashlyn, Colin, and Ryan McKenna of Wyckoff, NJ. She also leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Fred Edwards and her son and daughter-in-law Michael and Patty McKenna, and, of course, her extended family, a host of friends and neighbors in Westbury and many other concerns of this nation.

Frances was buried on Dec. 28, her 61st wedding anniversary.

Through good times and bad, Frances' eternal optimism never wavered. Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor storm could dampen her sunny disposition. In a very unhappy world Frances McKenna was a beacon of joy - truly a woman for all seasons.