Mary Ann Jane McKenney

Surrounded by family, Mary Ann Jane McKenney was peacefully released into the arms of Jesus on March 14, 2024 following a courageous fight against cancer. 

Born to Henry and Ruby Backstrom, she grew up in Lake Bronson MN with her sister Ruth and brother John. While working in Spokane, Washington, with her best friend Elaine; she met and married her knight in shining armor, Jim McKenney. Their admired 55-year love story is like the one found in movies, shown through their unquestionable commitment to one another. They shared a lifetime of love, laughter, trials, achievements, and cherished memories with their son and three daughters, who will miss her beyond what words can describe. 

Mary Ann was the pillar of her family and in her church community. She never met a stranger, and her love of Jesus was evident in her connection with others.  Everyone she met from the janitors at the hospital to the children in the church nursery, heard her share the gospel of Jesus. She spent much time as part of the East Valley Corral sharing her love for singing and worship.  Mary Ann blessed so many lives with her generosity and kindness, and compassion.  By many, she will always be known as “Nanny“. 

Mary Ann led by example and taught her children and grandchildren the meaning of faith, integrity, work ethic, and determination.  Through much adversity, she worked hard and became the first woman truck driver to join the Teamsters on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington. She learned to drive mixer trucks from a napkin diagram, written by her husband. “Can’t”was just never a word in her vocabulary. Later, she built her own thriving small business where all who entered were treated as family and where her customers returned often for a hug and fellowship.

Mary Ann was an unapologetic Christian, and it was her faith in Jesus, her Lord and Savior that resonated most through her.  She prayed relentlessly that each of her children and grandchildren would accept Jesus into their hearts and join her in heaven one day.  There was nothing more important to her than spending time with her family making memories. 

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her father, Henry Backstrom, mother, Ruby Backstrom and sister, Ruth Singer. Survived by her husband, James McKenney, her son Ernie Langston (Karen), three daughters, Shannon Jones (Jeff), Kelli King (Trevor) and Rachel Parson (Thomas), her brother John Backstrom (Penny), many cousins, nieces, nephews, and her 16 grandchildren she called her “diamonds,” their spouses, and 6 great grandchildren. 

Please join us in the Celebration of Life which will be held at Calvary Chapel, 44301 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa AZ 85138 on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Calvary Chapel.  In honor of Mary Ann’s love for flowers, please consider dressing in floral attire.