Veronica Kessenich

KESSENICH, Veronica

Henry "Ronnie"

Veronica "Ronnie" Henry Kessenich of Marietta, GA, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at the age of 76. Ronnie is survived by her son, Peter G. Kessenich, Jr. (Mary Ann); her granddaughters, Elleighfare and Emmalouise; her daughter, Veronica L. Kessenich (Michael P. Hogan); and her sister, Rebecca "Becca" J. Henry. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Peter Green Kessenich, Sr.; her mother, Veronica Crogan Henry; and father, Donald Joseph Henry.

Ronnie was born on June 30, 1948, in Toledo, OH. She attended Saint Mary's College (Class of 1970) and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. While at Saint Mary's, Ronnie met Peter, the love of her life, whom she married in 1971. They came to Atlanta for their honeymoon and to start their lives together.

Ronnie began her career as an educator with St. Margaret Mary Catholic Grade School (South Euclid, Ohio). In Atlanta, she began teaching at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School until becoming a mother. Her love for education, combined with her moxie, led her back to St. Jude and a successful career in fundraising and development, where she worked for over 25 years, first as a volunteer and then as the Director of Development, serving both the school and the church. The money she raised air-conditioned the school, built a new library, science lab, and computer lab for the school, renovated the church and its Stapleton Center, and supported the ministries and outreach of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

After her retirement from St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Ronnie returned to a life of volunteerism, spending the next 25 years with the Woman's Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital, both as a Pink Lady and as the Auxiliary President (2010-11). Ronnie, alongside her husband, were great patrons of the arts, consistently supporting the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Opera, ArtsBridge, Atlanta Contemporary, and many other organizations. They were avid art collectors and traveled extensively, often buying art for their home from the places they went.

Ronnie will be remembered as a generous, smart, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother – who was openhearted, caring, and creative, especially with her cherished granddaughters.

Please join the family and friends in celebrating the life of Veronica H. Kessenich for a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Dr., Atlanta, GA 30328. A livestream of the funeral will be available, details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her memory to Saint Mary's College, Class of 1970, 110 Le Mans Hall, St Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN 46556 (www.saintmarys.edu).