Theresa McKenna, 72

MALDEN -- Theresa (Flannery) McKenna , a former Sears sales clerk, died Jan. 15 in her Malden home. She was 72.

Mrs. McKenna was born in Sligo, Ireland, where she was educated. In 1954 she immigrated to the United States and lived with her two sisters in Norwood. Mrs. McKenna worked for Sears in its Brookline and Saugus stores from 1972 until her retirement in 1990.

A highlight of Mrs. McKenna's life was obtaining United States citizenship in the early 1970s.

An avid sports fan, Mrs. McKenna's loyalties were firmly with the Red Sox, the Boston Bruins, and the New England Patriots. She collected sports memorabilia, including an autographed picture of former Bruin Terry O'Reilly. A member of the Malden VFW Auxiliary, she also loved to play board games and spend time with her grandchildren.

She married the late Carlton "Buddy" McKenna in 1957.

She leaves four sons, Robert J. of Tewksbury, Kevin C. of Hanson, Stephen J. of Arlington, and Thomas of Malden; a daughter, Carolann Baron of Everett; two sisters, Ann O'Sullivan of Quincy and Lena Regan of Weymouth; and eight grandchildren.

Jeremiah Riordon ;

was woodworker

BEVERLY -- Jeremiah T. Riordon , founder of the woodwork and boat-building program at Beverly's Landmark School, died Jan. 11 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was 63.

Mr. Riordon was born and raised in Boston. After graduating from Boston English High School, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

An honorably discharged veteran, Mr. Riordon served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Riordon worked at the Landmark School for the past 35 years . He founded, directed, and taught the school's woodwork and boat-building program. The Landmark School is for students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia.

An avid sailor, he was a member of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Essex . He also was a member of the American Legion Post No. 113 of Manchester-by-the-Sea and the Manchester Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Riordon leaves two brothers, Edward of Billerica and Murray of Braintree; three sisters, Marjorie A. Feeney of Falmouth, Charlotte Manning of Danvers, and Helen Geraci of Saugus; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was said Jan. 15 in St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms. Burial was in Beverly Farms Cemetery.

John Richards,

former editor

HAMILTON -- John R. Richards, former editor of the New Englander magazine, died Jan. 11 in Beverly Hospital. He was 76.

Born and raised in Lynn, Mr. Richards graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1947. He graduated from Boston College in 1951 and earned a master's of business administration from Northeastern University. He also earned a graduate degree from the University of Rhode Island.

An honorably discharged veteran, Mr. Richards served in the Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Richards served as editor for the New Englander for many years. He also worked as a technical writer for General Electric and Honeywell for 20 years. He was a member of the Hamilton-Wenham Boosters Club.

He was the husband of Therese (Barry) Richards for 51 years.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Richards leaves a son, John, of Hamilton; and two daughters, Constance of Gloucester and Sarah of Tuckahoe, N.Y.

Compiled by Lisa Panora