To view the livestream of the Funeral Mass, please go to https://www.holyfamilygf.org/

Mary Ann Simpson McKenna, 89, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Mary Ann Simpson was born November 6, 1936, in Cando, ND. She was lovingly raised by her grandmother, aunts, Anna and Mary, and mother, Elsie. She was baptized, made her first Holy Communion, and was Confirmed in Cando's Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mary Ann graduated from Cando High School in 1954 and then attended The College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN. On November 3, 1956, Terry McKenna and Mary Ann were married in Sacred Heart Church. Life in the U.S. Army took them to Issaquah, WA. They also lived in Windom, MN and St. Joseph, MN, and in Grand Forks, since 1971. The family traveled with a camper to many states and provinces, but Mary Ann also just loved to be "home."

Mary Ann loved her Catholic faith, family and friends. She attended daily Mass and was dedicated to the pro-life movement. She was a charter member of Holy Family Catholic Church, helped chair the wedding and funeral committees for years, and taught CCD for 19 years. Mary Ann was a volunteer at Altru, St. Anne's Guest Home, and Valley Memorial Homes. Mary Ann enjoyed The Unforgettables Choir, her bridge group, and Senior Center friends.

Mary Ann is survived by her five children, Tim (Kathleen) Cedar Falls IA, Maureen (Jose Estevez) Arcadia CA, Kathleen (Curtis Benally) Farmington NM, Michael (Michele) Wausau WI, Colleen  (Ralph Thomson) Bonney Lake WA, and daughter-in-law, Charline; grandchildren, Tim (BrieAnn), Joseph, Shannon (Dan Metcalf), Christine (TJ) Sorsen, Anna, Daniel, Rose, Sean, Josiah, and Kenzie; and great-grandchildren, Emilie, Anthony, Gianna, Timothy, Emma, and McKenna Joy; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Terry, mother, Elsie Simpson, and aunts, Anna and Mary Simpson.

We, Mary Ann's children, were blessed to have her as our mom.

Memorials may be made to Saint Gianna and Pietro Molla Maternity Home at 15605 Co Rd 15, Minto, ND 58261, or Holy Family/St. Mary's School at 1001 17th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with a 4:00 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary and 6:00 p.m. Vigil Service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Wednesday.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND, to follow the liturgy on Wednesday.