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Jean Kenny Obituary
MANSFIELD
Jean Ann Kenny, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 6, after celebrating her 86th Birthday on Wednesday.
Her last words were, There's nothing like it! while she opened her crystal blue eyes and flashed her bright, big, beautiful smile. Jean didn't fear death and was a wonderful example to her family of the power of letting go of fear and embracing the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
Jean, or Jeanie Beanie, as she was affectionately referred to by those who loved her, leaves behind her children, Nancy Walsh, Norine Durkin and husband, Michael, Karen Farnsworth and husband, Clay, and Kenneth DiCapua. She was preceded in death by her adored son, Richard (Rick) DiCapua. Grandma Jean will also never be forgotten by her loving grandchildren, Gavin Walsh and wife, Andrea, Evan Walsh and partner, Hayley Bissonnette, Emily, Chris and Jaclyn Durkin, and great-grandchildren, Noelle, Lucas and Carter Walsh. Her loving
parents, four siblings and her many nieces and nephews. The family also shares their gratitude for homemaker and friend, Darlene Dupuis, who Jean also adored.
Jean's life story is one of amazing strength. She recalled being told in 1950 by a school counselor, in Perth Amboy, NJ, where she was born and raised, that she wasn't smart enough to go to college Boy did she prove them wrong. After getting married, moving to Connecticut, raising five children, and going through a difficult divorce, Jean went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies, and a Master's in Social Work, both from The University of Connecticut. She helped thousands of people live better lives throughout her career, starting with Catholic Charities in Norwich, and ending as the Senior Social Worker for the Town of Mansfield. Jean was one of the first therapists trained in Critical Debriefing and EMDR, and worked diligently to relinquish the stigma around first responders getting the mental health support needed after experiencing extreme tragedy and trauma. She counseled couples through difficult parts of their marriages, helped parents navigate better relationships with their teens, and guided adult children through the care-journey of aging parents. Jean also created and developed many senior wellness programs for Mansfield that still thrive today. She was an amazing person, and a generous professional. Jean was an artist and a wonderful cook, but nothing beat the homemade, gooey, breakfast twists she baked to perfection on holiday mornings, or the pies that could only be made with Macintosh apples, and Crisco in her crust. In her later years, when health challenges slowed her down, and reading became more difficult, she enjoyed watching Blue Bloods and the Price is Right, (although she was frustrated by contestants that were not well prepared). Jean referred to Scot Haney and Kelly Ripa by their first names, which on more than one occasion lead to humorous and confusing conversations with her kids. She caringly cut out newspaper articles, passed on obituaries of the parents of childhood friends, and clipped coupons for items that when mailed to you would keep the recipient guessing what she was implying (Neuriva?). Those mailings will be greatly
missed.
Throughout it all, Jean loved God and kept her faith at the center of her life. Her children are comforted that she is at peace, in the palm of God's hand. Rest in peace, sweet Jean Ann, ya done good kid.
Please join the family at Tolland Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, June 9th, 375 Merrow Rd in Tolland, CT. Calling hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 10th at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT followed by a graveside burial at Pink Ravine Cemetery, Bone Mill Rd, Mansfield, CT.
A celebration of life luncheon will be held at The Hilltop Restaurant, 39 Adamec Rd, Willington, CT following the burial.
Jean loved flowers. If your heart feels the urge, we welcome a live flowering plant, bush, or small tree. The family will be building an honor garden in her memory. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
Jean Ann Kenny
Jean Ann Kenny, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 6, after celebrating her 86th Birthday on Wednesday.
Her last words were, There's nothing like it! while she opened her crystal blue eyes and flashed her bright, big, beautiful smile. Jean didn't fear death and was a wonderful example to her family of the power of letting go of fear and embracing the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
Jean, or Jeanie Beanie, as she was affectionately referred to by those who loved her, leaves behind her children, Nancy Walsh, Norine Durkin and husband, Michael, Karen Farnsworth and husband, Clay, and Kenneth DiCapua. She was preceded in death by her adored son, Richard (Rick) DiCapua. Grandma Jean will also never be forgotten by her loving grandchildren, Gavin Walsh and wife, Andrea, Evan Walsh and partner, Hayley Bissonnette, Emily, Chris and Jaclyn Durkin, and great-grandchildren, Noelle, Lucas and Carter Walsh. Her loving
parents, four siblings and her many nieces and nephews. The family also shares their gratitude for homemaker and friend, Darlene Dupuis, who Jean also adored.
Jean's life story is one of amazing strength. She recalled being told in 1950 by a school counselor, in Perth Amboy, NJ, where she was born and raised, that she wasn't smart enough to go to college Boy did she prove them wrong. After getting married, moving to Connecticut, raising five children, and going through a difficult divorce, Jean went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies, and a Master's in Social Work, both from The University of Connecticut. She helped thousands of people live better lives throughout her career, starting with Catholic Charities in Norwich, and ending as the Senior Social Worker for the Town of Mansfield. Jean was one of the first therapists trained in Critical Debriefing and EMDR, and worked diligently to relinquish the stigma around first responders getting the mental health support needed after experiencing extreme tragedy and trauma. She counseled couples through difficult parts of their marriages, helped parents navigate better relationships with their teens, and guided adult children through the care-journey of aging parents. Jean also created and developed many senior wellness programs for Mansfield that still thrive today. She was an amazing person, and a generous professional. Jean was an artist and a wonderful cook, but nothing beat the homemade, gooey, breakfast twists she baked to perfection on holiday mornings, or the pies that could only be made with Macintosh apples, and Crisco in her crust. In her later years, when health challenges slowed her down, and reading became more difficult, she enjoyed watching Blue Bloods and the Price is Right, (although she was frustrated by contestants that were not well prepared). Jean referred to Scot Haney and Kelly Ripa by their first names, which on more than one occasion lead to humorous and confusing conversations with her kids. She caringly cut out newspaper articles, passed on obituaries of the parents of childhood friends, and clipped coupons for items that when mailed to you would keep the recipient guessing what she was implying (Neuriva?). Those mailings will be greatly
missed.
Throughout it all, Jean loved God and kept her faith at the center of her life. Her children are comforted that she is at peace, in the palm of God's hand. Rest in peace, sweet Jean Ann, ya done good kid.
Please join the family at Tolland Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, June 9th, 375 Merrow Rd in Tolland, CT. Calling hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 10th at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT followed by a graveside burial at Pink Ravine Cemetery, Bone Mill Rd, Mansfield, CT.
A celebration of life luncheon will be held at The Hilltop Restaurant, 39 Adamec Rd, Willington, CT following the burial.
Jean loved flowers. If your heart feels the urge, we welcome a live flowering plant, bush, or small tree. The family will be building an honor garden in her memory. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
Jean Ann Kenny
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by the Chronicle on Jun. 8, 2024.
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