Obituary of Frances Marie Kenney
Frances Marie Kenney, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024, at the age of 91. Born on May 7, 1933, in the Bronx, New York, Frances was the daughter of Mickey and Angela Shea. A lifelong New Yorker, she lived in Sayville, NY, throughout her marriage to John Joseph Kenney. Together, they raised their large and loving family. In later years, Frances and John spent winters in Palm Harbor, Florida, with their daughter Kerry and son-in-law Michael Afflitto.
After John’s passing, Frances spent 17 years living away from New York. She shared cherished time with her son, Fr. Sean Kenney, at Our Lady of the Mount Parish in Warren, New Jersey, where she was embraced by a devoted parish community, and with her daughter, Maryanna, and son-in-law, Jim Conboy, in Sterling, Virginia. In her 80s, Frances lived independently for the first time in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where she thrived and found joy in her newfound independence.
She is survived by her children Maryanna Conboy, Fr. Sean Kenney, Paul Kenney, Gavin Kenney (Linda), Neil Kenney, Michael Kenney, and her son-in-law Michael Afflitto. She was predeceased by her husband, John, her children, Kevin Kenney, Michael Kenney, Kerry Afflitto, and Colin Kenney, as well as her daughter-in-law, Cris Kenney, and son-in-law, Jim Conboy. Frances leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and her sister Ellen Kempf. She was predeceased by her sister, Barbara Shea.
Frances would prefer no flowers and instead asked that those wishing to honor her memory do something to enrich someone else’s life—a kind gesture, an act of service, or simply bringing joy to another person. For those who wish to make a charitable contribution, Frances supported organizations such as Good Samaritan Ministries, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, The Center for Great Expectations, and the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. To donate in Frances's memory to Good Samaritan Ministries, please donate with a check made out to "Our Lady of the Mount Church, Good Samaritan Ministries, In Memory of Frances M. Kenney, 170 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12th, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church, 170 Mount Bethel Road, Warren, NJ. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated the following morning, Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Church. Interment will be private, and she will be laid to rest at Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
