Dea McAuliffe (nee McKenna), Beloved mother, grandmother and sister, passed away on January 7, 2026. She was the cherished mother of Kathleen (William) Arnold, Christopher (Tammy) McAuliffe, Ellen Varela, and the late Sheila LaDuca. Dea was a loving grandmother to Nichole, Brendan, Andrew, Peter, Charles, Vincent, and Joseph. She was the devoted sister of DeSales (late Jack) Kellick. Dea was predeceased by one brother and three sisters. She is survived by nieces and nephews, who will remember her with great affection.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Dietrich Funeral Homes, Inc., 2480 Kensington Avenue ., Amherst, NY 14226 on Monday, January 12, 2026 from 3:00 -7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 9:30 am at Christ the King Church, 30 Lamarck (at Main Street). Amherst, NY.  Please assemble at the church. Dea McKenna was a quiet renaissance woman, loving mother, devoted teacher, published author and lover of all things Irish. She lead a prayer group; establishing programs for her school; acted on,  and directed for the stage; and starting at age 8, sang on the radio. Online condolences may be shared at www.thedetrichfuneralhome.com.