1927 - 2024
No Vistitation Date Scheduled
No Funeral Date Scheduled
Elaine Kenney, 96, a longtime resident of Chelmsford died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late John J. Kenney to whom she was married for 57 years.
She was born in Lowell, MA on October 20, 1927, the daughter of the late Myles and Winifred (Closhey) Vayo. She moved to Chelmsford at the age of 10 where she graduated from Chelmsford High Class of 1944. Upon graduation, she entered the workforce by aiding in the WWII efforts, as a secretary at Fort Devens Airfield in Massachusetts. After the war ended, she worked as a purchasing secretary at the Ames Mills in Lowell. She married on June 18, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Chelmsford, and subsequently left the workforce to raise her family.
During the years, she was the faithful communicant of St. Peter’s Church in Lowell, MA, St. Mary’s Church and St. John the Evangelist Church in Chelmsford, St. Ann’s Chapel in Still River, MA and currently St. Stanislaus in Nashua, NH. She was active in her church communities, as a member of the Ladies’s Sodality, teaching in the CCD programs, including volunteer work at the rectory, altar cleaning and church social activities organizer.
She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her family and relatives. She was an avid reader with many interests including religion and politics. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, and caring for her many family cats and dogs over the years.
Elaine, especially, enjoyed spending time with her family. She is survived by her daughters and two sons-in-law, Marie K. and Clark S. Hiltunen of Haverhill, Paula A. and Colin J. Fretwell of Chelmsford, Joanne L. Burket of Nashua, NH, and a son John M. Kenney of New Boston, NH; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Burket) Doubleday, Jason Burket, David Fretwell, Mark Fretwell, John Kenney, Katelyn Kenney, Matthew Kenney, Paul Kenney and Christopher Kenney; many great grandchildren, sister Rita (Vayo) Stansfield of North Andover, MA, brother Donald Vayo of Mentor, OH, sister-in-law Ann Decker of Lowell, MA; many nieces and nephews.
She was the great grandmother of the late Elizabeth (Ellie) Burket; sister of the late Gerard Vayo, Myles Vayo and Paul Vayo; sister-in-law of the late Ernest Stansfield, Estelle Vayo, Charlotte Vayo, Raymond and Helen Kenney, Patricia (Kenney) and Gerald Conley, Sister Genevieve, Ted Decker, Mary and Robert Hutton, and Constance and William Dempsey.
Funeral will be private
Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Dolan Funeral Home 978 251-4041
Paula
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Her family and Catholic Faith meant everything to her!
You are at home with Jesus, the Blessed Mother, Dad, and all those who went before you. We will see you again! I love and miss you, Ma.
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Dave
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Grammie, I love you! It meant the world to me to be your grandson and have you there each day as I grew up. You always cared, always poured out your love and showed us what family means. I will forever miss your laugh and your smile.
Embrace Grampie for me, tell him I loved every minute of being loved by you both. You are with Jesus now. Rest in the peace of his presence, Grammie ❤️
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Lynne McSheehy
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Terry and I send our deepest sympathy to all of your family. I will always remember Mrs. Kenney’s daily walks past our house, as she maintained her health with great discipline. Her longevity proved that she was definitely doing the right thing. I know that she will be greatly missed, and I will be thinking of you as time goes by.
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Debbie
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Grammie, what an honor to know you! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and sharing your love of religion with me. You have inspired me to take care of myself so I can live a long life. I hope to share many memories with my future great grandkids the way you did. You are loved by so many and will be greatly missed. I imagine you seeing Jack with Ellie, what a beautiful way to reunite. Good bye Grammie. Love, Debbie
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Colin
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Elaine was one of the strongest women I have known, physically and mentally, right up til the end. Amazing! It was a privilege to be part of her care, being able to keep her here, at home, till she passed, as she wished. I enjoyed making her laugh, hearing her laughter and seeing her face brighten.
God bless you, Elaine, may you rest in peace at home with Our Lord.
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Marie
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Today I said goodbye to my mother. You will be in my heart forever!❤️ Until we meet again, I love you and miss you Ma!
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Sheryl Farrar
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May you look back on precious memories and find peace and knowing that your mother raised an amazing period.
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