Angela Kenny

Mary Angela Kenny, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and faithful servant of God passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born on March 11, 1929, Angela was the cherished daughter of William and Anna Maria (Reuter) Crowley. She was married to the love of her life, Dr. James N. Kenny, Sr., on July 14, 1951 and together they shared 53 years of marriage until his passing on August 9, 2004.

Angela was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her older brother Jerome Crowley, her twin brother, William (Billy) Crowley, Jr., her younger sister Margaret Dentino, three grandchildren, Mary Kathleen Rizzo, Jeremiah Rizzo, and William Gabriel Lavin, and six great- grandchildren.

She is survived by her five beloved children: Dr. William Michael Kenny of East Peoria, Dr. James Nicholas Kenny, Jr., (Jenny) of Dunlap, Mary Colleen Lavin (Rich), of Peoria with whom she made her home, Timothy Patrick Kenny (Sally) of Peoria and Sheilah Marie Rizzo of Naperville. Angela's love extended deeply to her 19 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immeasurable joy.

A graduate of the Academy of Our Lady High School in Peoria, Illinois, Angela went on to earn her BS in Music Education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1951. A lifelong Catholic, Angela lived her faith most especially through service and music. For more than 50 years, she played the organ at weddings and funerals, and weekly Mass at Saint Mark's Church while also teaching hundreds of children the art of piano. She poured her creativity and boundless energy into countless parish activities, especially the annual Stunt Show. While health allowed, Angela regularly brought Holy Communion to the sick or homebound of the parish. Saint Mark's initiated an award in her honor in 2009 – the Angela Kenny Stewardship Award – of which she was the inaugural recipient. Her music and engaging spirit enriched the lives of all who knew her, and her gentle presence will be deeply missed.

Angela's greatest love was her family, for whom she was a constant source of strength, guidance, and unconditional love. She will be remembered for her warmth, her devotion to her Catholic faith, and the quiet grace with which she lived her long and full life.

As Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen once said: "Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for Divine Love?"

Angela lived this purpose fully and beautifully, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, joy, song, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith that will forever be remembered.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Thomas Roman Catholic Church on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:30am. Visitation will be from 4pm to 7pm, on Thursday, October 2, 2025 ending with the recitation of the Rosary at 7pm. Further visitation will be on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 9:30am until time of Mass at 10:30 AM, also at the church. Burial will be at Saint Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria. Friends and family are invited to gather in celebration of Angela's remarkable life and enduring faith.

Memorials may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church, Saint Thomas Catholic Church or to the Franciscan Sisters of Saint John the Baptist.

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.wrightandsalmon.com