Dateline: Mar. 19, 2024

Sandy McKenney's passing on February 21, 2024 at Elliot Hospital left behind a great many family, friends, and co-workers saddened by her loss. She served the town as Selectman and in other positions for a good 20 years.

But we pray she is joyfully rejoined with her husband, Jerry McKenney, a U.S. Air Force veteran who died in March 2017.

On Sunday March 17, the Roan Family Funeral Home held calling hours in the morning. This was followed by a Reception at the Allenstown Fire Station featuring an abundance of pizza pies and soft drinks.

As a special tribute, Claudette Verille prepared dozens of samples of Sandy's World Famous Brownies using Sandy's own recipe. Select Board members will remember that Sandy frequently surprised them by passing out her brownies at Board meetings. The ones with nuts were the best!

On Monday March 18, Father Rory Traynor of St. John the Baptist Church led the Memorial Service held in her memory at the Veterans' Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. In addition to family and friends, many Allenstown officials who knew her and had collaborated with her were in attendance at this ceremony.

In the following photos, attendees included Police Chief Michael Stark, Lieutenant Beth Tower, Firefighter Nick Thibedeau, Fire Chief Eric Lambert, and Laura Lambert. Chief Lambert brought Fire Engine 1 to the ceremony as a special tribute. Note the black bear emblem on the truck's window.

Chief Lambert recalled that "Sandy was always stopping by to see how the department was doing and supported us with all the coming changes. She was always one to ask questions to get information. She will be missed!"

Chief Stark offered this heartfelt tribute, " Sandy McKenney was very different from most people I have worked with. She was a woman never with an ulterior motive. Every thought and concern she had came out of her mouth, and she was always driven by caring about others. She would always take up a cause if there was someone who needed help. I have no idea where she got the energy. She helped us at the Police Department immeasurably and she will be greatly missed. "

Other noteworthy town officials included Town Administrator Derik Goodine, Building Inspector Brian Arsenault, Historical Society leaders Armand and Claudette Verville, Road Agent Chad Pelissier, Selectman Kathleen Pelissier, EDC Member Rich Caruso, Selectman Trish Caruso, and EDC Chairman Michael Frascinella. Apologies are offered if anyone was not mentioned.

What You Can Do

Think about Sandy and meditate on these words that the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." --Colossians 3:23