DOVER - Long-time Kent County Recorder of Deeds Betty Lou McKenna , who has died at age 85, was remembered Wednesday as a selfless public servant who was always focused on the best interests of Kent County.
Ms. McKenna served in the office for 20 years before announcing her retirement in October 2022. Further details on her death were not immediately available.
Levy Court Commissioner Jody Sweeney said he knew Ms. McKenna for 35 to 40 years. He attributed her longevity in the office due to “there really being nothing negative about what she did in everything.
“Whether it was in her personal life or as recorder of deeds, it was always positive for people who lived in Kent County. She worked (relentlessly) to make sure that they were protected, that their documents were protected.
“And nobody ever did it better than she did.”
Additionally, Mr. Sweeney said, “They broke the mold when they made her.
“There is nothing that she wouldn’t do for anyone who asked her to lend a hand to help them out. There’s nothing that she wouldn’t do for anybody. When they asked her, whether it was political, whether it was family, the woman never had anything but a smile on her face and the response.
“ ‘Yes, I can help.’ “
Darlene Cox said she’s known Ms. McKenna for more than 30 years and remembered her support in so many realms and “obviously for all the Kent County, but statewide elected officials from Joe Biden on down, she was friends with people in New Castle County.
“Betty Lou was active in her own (residential district) of course, and she regularly attended any (Democratic party) meetings throughout Kent County.”
Tracey Miller, the current Kent County Democratic Party vice chair, said as she became closer with Ms. McKenna in the past couple years and remembered that “Every time I talked to her she was very supportive of the county and it didn’t have to be along party lines.”
For Ms. Miller, Ms. McKenna’s “longevity for me was the thing I was so impressed with. She was always in it for the duration.”
When describing her time in office in 2022, Ms. McKenna said “It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your Kent County recorder of deeds.
“I have seen a lot of changes within the county, and I have led a great staff. ...”
Ms. McKenna’s husband, former Levy Court commissioner John McKenna, died in 2001.
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