Austin McKenna

Austin J. “Mac” McKenna, long-time resident of both Denver, Colorado and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died May 1st in Carefree, Arizona. Of his 96 years spent on this earth, all but the last year or so was spent in relatively good health enjoying life, creating art, and constantly learning new things. While he will be greatly missed by many, we are glad that he is no longer suffering from the health issues of late. Over the years, he gracefully adapted to the realities of old age and made the best of physical failings but, for the past few months was miserable in a body that would more and more often refuse do his bidding. He died peacefully and is now on to the next vista. Mac was born in Leadville, Colorado to Joseph J. McKenna and Mary E. Hazeltine McKenna. He spent his formative years in Salida, Colorado and attended the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco following graduation from Salida High School. During World War II, he proudly served with the famed “Ski Troops” of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division -- 126th Combat Engineers, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mac also played an integral part in the formation and ongoing operations of the 10th Mountain Division Association in Colorado in the years to follow, serving in several official positions and as editor of the Division’s newspaper, the Blizzard, for over 20 years. In 1948, Mac graduated from University of Denver and married Mary Louise Engler (b.1924-d.1973). They lovingly raised their three children. He spent his 45-year advertising career in executive positions at companies in the Denver area, and created art in the spare moments. In 1987, he reunited with and married his girlfriend from post-war years, Frances Silburn (b.1925-d.2017). Mac retired in 1991 and they moved to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii where they spent many years. Mac devoted his time there to being an artist and teaching art classes for the Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture. He was a member and past president of the Kailua Village Artists Inc., and displayed his watercolor paintings in a number of regional galleries, selling to buyers around the world. He leaves behind his son Sean, of Silt, CO; daughters Mary Pat (Ed), of Cave Creek, AZ and Maureen (Peter) of Boulder, CO; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations in lieu of flowers to the 10th Mountain Division Foundation: https://www.tenthmountainfoundation.org Final rest at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO on July 12, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.