Gavin Michael McKenna

Gavin Michael McKenna was born on October 24, 2005 in Pittsburgh, PA.  He was born loving the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Iowa State Cyclones, and remained an avid fan of both teams for 17 years. Gavin loved sports, not only playing them, but also talking about them. He was always quick to ramble off players and stats to anyone who would listen. Gavin was a bright student, and especially loved Math and Science. He was planning on going into Medicine, and not only would he have had the brains for it, but also the heart.

Gavin was an easy-going, kind-hearted soul. He was quick to make friends and easy to spend time with. He could be on the quiet side, but he loved being with others and he loved to laugh. He enjoyed games, Legos, watching movies, and spending time with his friends and family.  His life changed greatly over the last 5 years while constantly battling his relentless disease of Osteosarcoma. Not once did this cancer define who he was. We learned so much about living with love and positivity simply by watching him. We will forever be grateful for the time we had with him and for the love he gave us.

Gavin passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023.  He was surrounded by his family who loved him so. He is survived by his parents, Matt and Sherri McKenna, brothers Aiden and Colin all of Kansas City; his grandparents Dottie and Chuck Belonzi of Pittsburgh, PA; Great Grandma Charlotte Latta of Ames, IA, and several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Christine and Michael McKenna who will be welcoming him with open arms into heaven.

 A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 from 6-8:00PM. The funeral will be Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.  Both services will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64155.  A reception will follow the Funeral Mass, and burial will be at a later time.

Gavin’s funeral will be livestreamed on Wednesday at www.holyfamily.com/funerals

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Children’s Mercy who cared for Gavin so lovingly; the Sarcoma Foundation of America; or MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance which funds research to end this awful disease.

Children's Mercy Hospital (https://www.childrensmercy.org/ways-to-give/ )

Sarcoma Foundation of America (https://www.curesarcoma.org/)

MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance (https://www.mibagents.org/ )