Mrs McKenna died of paralysis after 2 years' illness. She was buried by John Cronin, her brother-in-law and husband of Elizabeth McKenna, in a private burial ground at "Quabing" at Wedgecarrup, between Wagin and Arthur River. Ellen left an estate valued at £85 to her husband. Edward died on 18 June 1937 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.  She is memorialised by a plaque at the family property, "Quabing", in Wedgecarrup.

The McKenna family were pioneers in the Wagin district.

The remains of the matriarch of the family were carried to the grave upon the shoulders of her stalwart grandsons, whilst the younger grandsons acted as pall-bearers, followed by a long string of relations. Rushy Flat is now known as Grasslands in the Wedgecarrup area between Wagin and Arthur River. The deceased is buried at Grasslands, on the property known as "Quabing".

McKenna's original occupation was a sergeant in the army. In Australia, he became a police trooper or pensioner guard. In 1865, a police presence was requested by the white settlers in a newly settled area near Katanning and Police Trooper Terrance McKenna was the first appointment to the position. The family set up camp at Twontkwillingup, the place of frogs, known as Police Pools, the original campsite of the first Pensioner Guards (early policemen). Located on the Torminup River, it enabled the trooper to visit isolated sandalwood cutters and early settlers in the area. It was the first police station in the Katanning district and although referred to as Police Pools locally, its official name was the Eticup Police Station (located near a fresh water reserve) even though it was a distance of 10 miles from where the townsite was later established. Trooper Terrance McKenna, who served there from 1865 to 67, proceeded to erect a slab, daub and thatch two-roomed cottage and stable for himself and his family. After only two years the McKenna family left Eticup Station, Terrance left the force and settled to become a pioneer settler at Wedgecarrup, between Wagin and Arthur River.