Tiffany M. McKenna

Hampton - Tiffany Marshall McKenna, 58, of Hampton, NH passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 26th, surrounded by family and friends, following an extended illness that exemplified her true strength. She leaves her loving husband of 29 years, John McKenna and their cuddly English Bulldog, Pretzels. Tiffany “Tiff” was born on August 8, 1965 in Royal Oak, MI and raised by parents Phyllis and Frederick Ball of Stonington, CT alongside her sister, Paige, and her brother, Jonathan. She was a loving sister, a role model, and an inspiration for both of her siblings throughout her life. Tiff was blessed with a tenacious and persevering spirit which graced each and every one of her undertakings. She was an accomplished athlete – whether navigating damning moguls, shaming the competition off the diving board, medaling on the uneven bars, or battling it out on the tennis court (though maybe not so much…). Tiff was an animal lover who also had a passion and talent for cooking that was uncommon. To her family’s and friends’ delight, Tiff would often take a basket of random ingredients and somehow, magically, put together a gourmet meal. And she never missed. She perfected her style with both sweet and savory dishes, and to top it off, she delivered the goods with her ever-enduring smile. Tiff was an energetic and passionate person, with a drive to find her own path in the world. She was a natural leader, which was self-evident in her many endeavors later in life, and as anyone who knew her would say: she was absolutely selfless. In the summer of 1992 Tiffany met the love of her life, John McKenna, in Newport, RI. After an unforgettable summer romance, the two soon became one with a scenic wedding in Tiffany’s hometown of Mystic, CT. He would be her best friend, her lover, her rock, and her husband for the next 29 years. Their marital journey together started in Charlestown, MA, and through the years took them south to Loudoun County, VA, before they eventually settled in Hampton, NH in 2002. Tiffany’s colorful touch brightened every wall, couch, and bed in their new home, and no horizontal space that could accommodate one was safe from a pillow. Tiff loved to entertain her friends and family with John at their home, often hosting barbecues by the pool with her favorite Jimmy Buffett, Van Morrison, or Elton John playing, along with the dogs barking, and joyous screams from her nieces, grandnieces, and nephews as they splashed around in the pool. She enjoyed her life with John very much and the love that the two had for one another is the kind you would read about in a story book – they were each other’s everything. After attending Colby Sawyer College and the University of Connecticut, Tiffany entered the world of finance, which led her to what she most enjoyed in her professional life: efforts dedicated to helping others through charitable organizations. She, with her sparkling energy and high-heeled shoes-to-match, worked the crowds and helped raise over $100 million at many charitable fundraisers throughout New England. She became the Development Coordinator for the National Parks Conservation Association in 1995, and later found her way to the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, where she was integral in the ongoing efforts to benefit the Campaign for a Landmine Free World as the Senior Development Director. Additionally, Tiffany served as Director of Philanthropy of the Nature Conservancy NH, Director of Fundraising and Communication for a Safe Place in Portsmouth, NH, Major Gifts Officer for the American Red Cross and most recently as the Community Relations Director for GATHER, formerly the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. She recently volunteered for several years at Cross Roads House creating delicious meals for those in need. If she wasn’t helping a charity, Tiffany was likely helping a friend. Even though her health was a challenge this past year, not too long ago there she was, cooking an entire turkey dinner with all of the fixings in order to provide a week's worth of meals for her friend after she’d shattered her ankle. Moreover, Tiff was never without at least one rescued pet. Tiffany was a firm believer in living life to the fullest, and her adventures often involved her close friends and co-partners in fun, Paula Kenney and Laura “Sully” Bakosh, along with many others. She will be dearly missed by her husband, John McKenna, parents Phyllis and Frederick Ball of Stonington, CT, her father Roger Pagnucco of Fernandina Beach, FL, brother Jonathan and wife Elizabeth Ball, sister Paige and husband Richard Remmert of Mystic, CT, brother-in-law Bernard “Bernie” Ouellette, nieces Madden Remmert of Mystic, CT, Wendy Cooper and her husband James of Hampton, NH, Aimee Young and her husband Matthew of Madbury, NH, Katie Joyce and her husband Patrick of Epping, NH, and great nieces and nephews Meghan and Grace Cooper, Meghan Abbey, Shannon Abbey, Lucien Young, Andrew and Regina Joyce. She is predeceased by her mother and father in-law, Eileen and John C. McKenna, sister in-law Joan Ouellette and a cadre of rescued canines, Butkus, Bailey, Chance, Rocky, and Chloe. Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Tiffany for a period of visitation on Friday, December 1st, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Rd., Hampton, NH 03842. A funeral service will be held on Saturday December 2nd, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High St. Hampton, NH. All are welcome to attend, and in Tiffany’s likeness, sparkly and glittery outfits will not be turned away. In lieu of Flowers please do an unexpected act of kindness or give a hug to a friend in need. In the spirit of giving, consider donating in Tiffany’s memory to Cross Roads House by clicking here or the New Hampshire SPCA by clicking here by mail to: Cross Roads House 600 Lafayette Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 New Hampshire SPCA 104 Portsmouth Ave. Stratham, NH 03885

Tiffany M. McKenna

August 8, 1965 - November 26, 2023