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Elizabeth Dale "Bettie" Kenney

Elizabeth Dale "Bettie" Kenney obituary

Elizabeth Kenney Obituary

Elizabeth "Bettie" Dale Kenney

WOLFEBORO - Elizabeth "Bettie" Dale Kenney passed away on December 12th at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, after a long illness. Born at St. Margaret's Hospital in Boston, Massachusettes on Feb 12, 1927, Bettie was two months shy of her 87th birthday. Bettie was the wife of John "Jack" Kenney, originally from Concord, Massachusettes and the daughter of Richard T. Dale of Lexington, West Virginia and Miriam Sexton Dale of Hudson, Massachusettes. She studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusettes training to become an opera singer. She was a professional singer of popular music for fifteen years, performing throughout New England, New York, Florida and Montreal under the stage name "Diana Dare." Bettie met her future husband of 47 years, Jack Kenney, at one of her singing engagements in Boston, Massachusettes. Bettie often said she "lived two lives, one before marriage and one after," and in recent years said "I have lived a wonderful full life, and I have no regrets." She was gifted with a beautiful voice at a young age and began singing with her mother, who played piano alongside her at home. As a young teenager, she entertained returning World War II veterans in and around the Boston area. She worked for the well-known talent agent Abe Ford in Boston for several years, then branched out on her own. She was booked on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York in the late 1940s and performed onstage with the leading performers of the day, including Nate King Cole, Frankie Laine and the Tommy Dorsey Band. Bettie was known by many in show business in her era as the female singer with the most powerful voice on the east coast. She was friends with Frankie Fontaine, Wladek (Walter) "Killer" Kowalski, Jimmie Durante, Morton Downy (a.k.a. the Irish Nightingale), Jackie Gleason, and Sammy Davis Sr. Bettie retreated from "the golden era of show business," got married on July 28, 1952 and settled down, having a family of five kids with her husband Jack. The kids grew up hearing her show business stories over the years. Jack and Bettie moved to Wakefield, in 1965 to raise their five kids. Together they opened a restaurant called "Bettie's Restaurant" in Wakefield from 1970 to 1975 and operated a restaurant and auction barn in Rochester, prior to that. In later years, Jack and Bettie worked and travelled to regional flea markets and northeastern trade shows. Bettie was an avid antique and doll collector and absolutely "adored people." She loved plants and enjoyed playing bingo in her remaining days at the Wolfeboro Bay Rehabilitation Center in Wolfeboro. Bettie was a board member of Northern Carroll County Mental Health for many years, and was also a member of the Union Post 7663 Ladies Auxiliary and worked with the local Wakefield Police Department with a teenage program for several years. She was a NH state Legislator, and took pride in the fact that she was born on President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, her favorite President. She volunteered her time as a Saint Anthony's Parish Helper in Wakefield. A devout Catholic, she loved her family very much. Surviving family members include a brother, John "Jack" Dale of New Bedford VA Medical Center, Massachusettes; three sons, John T. Kenney, Jr. of Rochester; David X. Kenney of Miami Beach, Florida and Joseph D. Kenney, Wakefield; a daughter, Elizabeth "Lisa" A. Kenney, Tamworth; daughters-in-law Sandra Kenney and Asha Kenney; five grandchildren: John, Mark, Sarah, Christian and Caroline Kenney; and two great grandchildren, Jake and Jack; in addition to dozens of nieces and nephews.

Predeceased were her husband John T. Kenney, Sr., and daughter Miriam V. Kenney; her sisters Nancy Owens of Mendon, Massachusettes and Virginia Meyers of Lynnfield, Massachusettes; and brother David Dale of Long Beach, California; and her close uncle, Monsignor John S. Sexton of Boston, Massachusettes. The Kenney family has requested that any donations in honor of their mother be made to the Union VFW Post 7663, P.O. Box 201, Union, NH 03887, or Northern Human Services, 70 Bay Street, Wolfeboro, 03894, in lieu of flowers.



At the request of the family, there will be no visiting hours. There will be a memorial service mass in the New Year to celebrate Bettie's life with a graveside funeral scheduled afterwards in the spring.

Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book

Published by Foster's Daily Democrat from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Dear Joe,
I remember sitting and chatting with your Mom, so many years ago ,when you were playing basketball at SHS here in Rochester. She was such a sweet and lovely lady. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Carl and Elaine Hamilton

December 30, 2013

Lisa and Family. So Sorry to hear of your mom's death. I have known her since we moved up here in 1970. She always had time to talk to me. Lisa, you ever need help, just call. Love and GOD Bless. Rocky and Linda-Fan Scirocco

Thomas Scirocco

December 29, 2013

I am sorry to hear of Bettie's passing. I enjoyed hearing her stories of her amazing life. She was a kind and generous person and will be missed by many.

Kathy (Donnelly) Frothingham

December 29, 2013

Joe, Asha, Lisa, and family,
Our Deepest Condolences on the passing of your mom. I will remember all the times we talked. She was a wonderful person and had a heart of gold. Very sorry for your loss, Our Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Annette and Shawn Perry

December 27, 2013

John, David, and Lisa: I was so blessed to have known your mother...what an incredible mother and woman...May He comfort you through this difficult time. Cherish the memories, and share them with each other. God Bless you always...

David Blair

December 27, 2013

Joe and family,

I am sorry about your lost.

Nancy Johnson

December 27, 2013

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