Rosemary Joan Kenney, of Gloucester City, age 99
Friday, July 29, 2022
On July 27, 2022, age 99, Rosemary Joan Kenney, of Gloucester City, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Woodbury Mews Assisted Living in Woodbury, NJ.
She was born to the late Samuel and Mary Rose Goodman (nee Bozarth), December 20, 1922, in Woodbury, NJ. Except for a brief 5-year period, in Vineland, NJ due to her father’s employment, Rosemary was a lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ and devoted parishioner of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. During her brief time in Vineland, Rosemary graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School, graduating in June 1940. It was during this time at Sacred Heart High School that Rosemary perfected her jump-shot and became the starting guard on the Lions basketball team. In addition to her athletic prowess in high school, Rosemary was also an accomplished actress, starring in the role of Benita Bolt in that hit play “Bolts and Nuts”.
Throughout the years, visitors to Rosemary’s house would often find her in her favorite recliner, reciting the Rosary. She enjoyed attending the weekly Seniors meetings and was a powerful presence at the Bingo games. She retained her driver’s license to the age of 97 and utilized those privileges to drive her girlfriends (Agnes Peters, Clare Ward, Eleanor Loughrey, Marie Mackara, Ruth Greene) to church on Saturday night followed by dinner at one of the numerous “five-star” restaurants in Gloucester City.
She married the late Thomas A. Kenney Sr. on November 28, 1946 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Gloucester City, NJ. Coincidentally, her passing comes 29 years to the date of her husband’s passing (7/27/1993). Unbeknownst to many, their first child, Susan, died at birth on November 13, 1947. Subsequently, they then produced five very “handsome” and very “talented” sons. Loving mother of Tom (Carol) of Pitman, NJ; Pat (Nancy) of Aiken, SC; Joe (Lori) of West Berlin, NJ; Bob (Lori) of Washington Township, NJ; and Kevin (Anna) of Cape May, NJ. Cherished Grandmom “Okie-dok”, she is survived by 14 grandchildren: Jeffery (Kimm), Kristen (Rob Powell), Patrick (Allison), John Thomas Kenney, Alexandra (Paul Reiss), Meghan (Danny McNamara), Meredith (Shane Snyder), Lindsay Rose Kenney, Ally (Joe Nick), Zach (Courtney), Rachel, Kevin (Hannah), Brittany and Siobhan (Brian Cianfrani). Loving Great Grandmother of: Grady, Quinn and Easton Kenney; Teagan and Declan Powell; Logan Kenney; Caroline and Andrew Reiss; Shea and James McNamara; Keegan and Finley Snyder; Madeline Rose Liermann; Kennedy and Frances Nick; Elijah, Luci, Abbey Rose and Willow Kenney; Cassidy Cianfrani.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Tuesday morning, August 2nd from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Interment will be immediately following at New Saint Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, 515 West Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Msgr. Lucitt’s Needy Children’s Fund, PO Box 87, Gloucester City, NJ 0830. Please memo: Rosemary J. Kenney.
Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Rosemary J. Kenney. Funeral arrangements and inquiries through: MCCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, Ph: 856-456-1142.