Kathleen Mary "Katie" (McKenna) Carpenter

Kathleen “Katie” Mary (McKenna) Carpenter, age 90, of Somerset passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, peacefully at her home. Katie was born on Sept 24, 1932, to Parnell and Lucille (Maybold) McKenna. Katie was a 1950 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School in Newark and worked as a secretary at Kaiser Aluminum and also at Maybold Shoes, the McKenna family business. She married the love of her life, Marvin Carpenter, on September 14, 1956. Katie was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved spending time with family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Marvin, parents Parnell and Lucille McKenna, stepmother Annabelle McKenna, sister Angela (Chuck) Mehler, brothers Parnell McKenna, Floyd (Joan) McKenna and survived by brother Regis (Patricia) McKenna. Katie is survived by children Stephen (Pearl) Carpenter of Somerset, Cynthia (Tim) McNichols of Columbus, Benjamin (Katrina) Carpenter of Somerset and Joseph (Kelley) Carpenter of Harford City, IN. In addition, she is survived by 13 beloved grandchildren Denise and Luke Carpenter, Megan McNichols (Kevin Walsh), Sean (Nancy) McNichols, Kelly (Tyler) Rausch-Davis, Ben, Mike (Heidi), Drew (Julia) and Katie Carpenter, Izaak Baltic, and Taylor, Kari and Sara Carpenter as well as 15 great-grandchildren: Maeve and Grace Walsh, Hunter McNichols, Rachel Rausch-Davis, Ben and Charlie Carpenter, Ayven, Mikaela and Bailey Carpenter, Easton and Eli Carpenter, Hunter and Colt Whitlatch, Alexa and Ryott Spencer. In addition, she is survived by numerous cherished nieces and nephews. Katie was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Following Marvin’s retirement, Katie and Marvin enjoyed traveling including trips to Egypt, China, Alaska, Hawaii, and the US from coast to coast. She and Marvin served for many years as ushers at the Ohio Theater enjoying a wide variety of performances. An avid and accomplished creative spirit, Katie liked to paint and to hook rugs (and was especially fond of telling new acquaintances that she was a “hooker”). She often found ways to incorporate purple, her favorite color, into her creations. She enjoyed playing games with family and friends, including Marbles and Euchre. Family and friends may call at Bope-Thomas Funeral Home, 203 S. Columbus Street, Somerset on Monday, July 24 from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 228 S. Columbus Street, Somerset on Tuesday, July 25 at 11:00 am with Father LaCasse officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Trinity’s “Beacon on the Hill” campaign for restoration and preservation at Holy Trinity Church, 228 S. Columbus Street, PO Box 190, Somerset, OH 43783 or to FAIRHOPE Hospice and Palliative Care, 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, OH 43130. Feisty and independent to the end, Katie will be remembered for her exuberant spirit and will be dearly missed by all lucky enough to have known her.