Character Profile #5: Ernestine McKenna

Full name: Ernestine Forsythe McKenna

Date of Birth:  Aug 26, 1959 (Virgo)

Age: 49

Height: 5’3”

Hair: Blond

Eyes: Grey

Occupation: Owner of a consignment gift shop, part-time framer

Family: Husband, Joseph; son, Shane; son, Timothy; daughter, Andrea; cousin, Marion; sister, Beatrice; brother; Joshua; mother, Frances

     Cold and stoic, Ernestine McKenna is the captain of the ship that is the McKenna family; she's also Marion's cousin. Although she does not possess the shapeshifting gene herself, it is through her side of the family that Andrea received her powers. Ernestine also has two sons, Timothy and Shane, though, interestingly, neither of them possess shapeshifting abilities. Ernestine's relationship with her children--especially Andrea--is not close: Ernestine is a very "no-nonsense" person who shows little or no emotion. However, her relationship with her son Timothy, a printmaking student, is comparatively the best.
     A folk artist and craftswoman by trade, Ernestine owns a consignment gift shop where she sells her own works as well as the works of other local artists. Unfortunately, her business has not been fairing very well, nor has that of her husband Joseph, who is a carpenter. As a result, the McKenna family finances are in turmoil, and Ernestine has been working a second job as a framer at an arts and crafts store to compensate. Ernestine feels, however, that Andrea should be using her powers to help the family earn money, and never fails to put pressure on Andrea to do so, especially considering Andrea's apparent idleness compared to her brothers, who are both in college. Ironically, though, Ernestine appears to be disdainful of Andrea's work with Marion...