Very quietly and peacefully on Tuesday June 10th, 2025, All Mighty God, in His infinite wisdom, gently closed the eyes of our beloved Denna Elizabeth McKellar, and she entered into his eternal rest. To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven— Ecclesiastes 3:1
A Time to be Born
Denna Elizabeth McKellar, in her 99th year was born on November 19, 1926, in Philadelphia to Percy George and Roberta Maultsby. She was educated in the Philadelphia School system receiving her High School Diploma. She had two brothers; McKinley, Ervin, and a sister Dorothy, all of whom preceded her in death.
A Time to Love
She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Johnnie Wade McKellar in Elkton, MD. She was the mother to
• Thirteen children
• Thirty-seven grandchildren
• Fifty great-grandchildren
• Twenty-five great-great grandchildren
• Five great, great, great grandchildren
Denna made her home in Philadelphia, PA she was employed with Kiddie City until her retirement in 1993. She moved to Cheltenham to be closer to her family in 2000, where she enjoyed shopping and volunteering at her daughters’ schools. She delivered the snacks and helped with reading and pretzel day. In 2009, she moved to Schwenksville Terrace, where she enjoyed many years of friendship, shopping trips and outings with her friend groups. She loved the weekly Philly pretzel day. Her favorite was the nightly gatherings on the patio or in the lobby where they played games and watched Family Feud with Steve Harvey. She was at Schwenksville until COVID, when she moved in with her daughter Katherine’s family. She loved hanging out with her grandkids and going to all of the Upper Gwynedd community activities. She was the heart and soul of the family.
A Time to Plant
Denna taught many to sew, a multitude to crochet, and even more home-made remedies for kids and family pets alike. She was an avid lover of house plants and had them all over her house (purple and white, red and white). She could grow anything with her green thumb. She was a constant at all her children’s functions and volunteered at several Philadelphia Public Schools. Later in life, after Johnnie’s death, she entered Community College and started her own desktop publishing business. Denna remembered every birthday, anniversary, and created personalized cards, business cards, and stationery. To her children and grandchildren, her waffles were legendary.
A Time to Find
Denna raised her family in the Catholic faith and was a long-time member of Saint Carthage parish. Her favorite bible readings were the ten commandments, beatitudes and sermon on the mount. She spent many nights reading and explaining that God only wants us to “Treat everyone the one way we want to be treated.” She was a wonderful mom to not just her biological children, but the entire Delancey Street community. She believed in, “It takes a village.”
She was truly our first teacher, “An education is the most important thing you get, once provided they can’t be taken away”!
A Time to Die
Denna Elizabeth McKellar, 98, the beloved matriarch of the McKellar family, passed on June 10, 2025, in the loving presence of the Carter family, Karl and Karen. Denna’s greatest joy and achievement was her large, close-knit family.
A Time to Weep
Denna is survived by her children Clarence N (Susan), Claudell (Thomas), Keavin (Robin), Kennieth (Zelunette), Karl (Alisha), Katherine (Anthony), Kathleen (Mumbai), Kearline (Michael), and Karen. Grandchildren Troy, Gwen, Michael, Denna, Kimberly, Tonyetta, Zachery, (Clarence) Michele (Johnnie Louis), Felicia,Vermell, Jemilla, Rhashedda, Angel, Khadijah (Jean), Johnnie, (Kathleen), Cortnee (Claudell), Clarence, Marla, Crystal, Howard, Natise (Rita), Betty (Helen), Keavin, Ashley, Simone (Keavin), Kennieth Jr, Elizabeth, Ryan, Steven, (Kennieth), Karl Jr, (Karl), Katherine Alice, Candice, Anthony John, Donna, Sean (Katherine), Denna, Andrew (Kearline) and Seth (Karen)
• Fifty great-grandchildren
• Twenty-five great-great grandchildren
• Five great, great, great grandchildren
She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Wade, and five children, Kim, Jean, Johnnie Louis, Rita and Helen.
A Mass of Christian Burial
Date: June 25, 2025
Viewing: 9:00am-11:00am
Mass: 11:00am
Place: St. Cyprian Catholic Church, 525 Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia, PA (formerly St Carthage).
Internment: Immediately following at Rolling Green Memorial Park (1008 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382)
Remembrance Gathering: Immediately following at Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department (660 Garfield Ave, West Point, PA 19486).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denna Elizabeth McKellar’s name to Abington Health Adult Day Services.
Please mail to
51 Medical Campus Drive
Lansdale, PA 19446
Or contact Amy @ 215.412.8505 for credit card donations.
From Mr and Mrs Irving Ortiz, Thank you for inviting us to be part of your Loving Moms celebration of her life wow what a beautiful life and legacy, the church mass was so endearing loving and full of so many beautiful friends and family s wonderful memories she was so blessed . Lord take her into your Arms and may she Rest in eternal peace, Amen 🙏
To the family: You have our sincere condolences. We will be praying for God’s comfort during this time of bereavement. Let us know if there is anything we can do to ease your burden. Sorrowfully, Charles and Donna Robinson
Miss Deanna and family
Sending final good bye to a Phenomenal woman. She was a smart fun friendly talented and God fearing woman. You will truly be missed.
She led a full life and is up in heaven organizing socials planting flowers and watching her favorite tv shows.
You will be missed🙏🏾🥰
Monica (Lloyd) Yates
My Deepest Condolences To The Family Of Your Lost May She Rest In God Loving Arms.
She was a brave and wonderful woman To have raised thirteen children and all of them are clean strong Individuals Who would make any mother Proud