Ellen May (Davis) McKanna passed away on May 28th 2023 at the age of 92 years, joining Blaine who passed in 2016. She was born in Banning, CA to Virginia (King, Wilson) and Burton Davis on November 27, 1930. He had contracted Tuberculosis during WWI while in Navy and passed in 1934. Virginia met and later married Leonard Edgar Wilson in Tacoma, WA. Leonard became Ellen's father in every sense of the word. She was grateful for her mother for encouraging her to read at an early age and they made frequent trips to the library. It changed her life. In 1949 she met the love of her life, Blaine E. McKanna (deceased 2016), while attending Pacific Lutheran College and working in a nearby café. They married in March 1950, raising 3 children on 5 acres in Summit View. She loved cooking, gardening, and canning of fruits and vegetables from the family garden. Ellen returned to finish her education degree in early 1960's and later obtained her Master's at the University of Puget Sound.

She taught elementary grades for 30 years in several schools within the Franklin Pierce School District. The last 15 years were focused on Special Education, which she also loved. During this time, she traveled to Spring Valley Montessori School in Federal Way. In the 1970's she received a certificate of completion from The  St. Nicholas Training Center in London.

Ellen loved flowers and later joined an Ikebana flower arranging group. She also did stain glass, ceramics, painting, and scrapbooking. She was involved with Friends of the Library (Summit View); Alpha Tae, Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, Past President; and Heritage Quest in Sumner. She spent 30+ years researching family history, leaving her family members an amazing legacy.

Family was of utmost importance and get-togethers were held year-round. Everyone knew they would be receiving a fruitcake each year at Christmas made by Ellen and Blaine.  They made frequent long weekends to Tokeland, where they had a small condo for many years, and loved taking their grandkids with them. Travels around the country and faraway places around the world were a highlight. She especially loved spending time on The Big Island of Hawaii when visiting her son Doug, and wife Liane.

Ellen expanded our worlds in so many ways. She is missed. She leaves behind her children, Steve B. McKanna wife Marta, Kathleen Gee McKanna (deceased) , daughter Gail A. (McKanna) Sanders, and Douglas E. McKanna wife Liane, brother John W. Davis (deceased,) wife Kay, brother Richard Wilson, wife Nancy, 5 grandchildren (Erin, Stephen, (Kelly, deceased), Shannon, Katie, Amy and (Jon deceased).

Heartfelt thanks to Sound Home Care and Assured Hospice for all the love and care she received.

A private Celebration of Life will be held for family in June. In lieu of flowers, donations to Habitat for Humanity are requested.