Connie Kenny
Constance B. Kenny, age 81, died June 1, 2019 at Alice Peck Day Hospital in Lebanon, NH after a long illness.
Born in Lewiston Me. The daughter of Vitaline “Vicky” and Arsene “Sam” Sylvain.
Predeceased in 2002 by her husband and best friend James M Kenny with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.
Survived by her daughter Holly Kenny and husband Rob Chapin of Fairlee, VT;her son James and wife Victoria and her beloved grandchildren, Sam, Hawkin and Bridget Kenny all of South Yarmouth, MA; her stepdaughter Jennifer and husband John Rose of Midland, NC; their children Ryan Rose and Kimberly Rose Shirk and their children Jordan and Jada Rose and Isaac and Ian Shirk.
She is also survived by her dear sister Diane Quinn of Hiram Georgia; her niece and “other daughter” Cindy Desmarais Stevens of Dallas Georgia, her brother and sister-in-law Larry and Jerrie Sylvain of Nashua NH; two sisters-in-law Patricia Kenny Higgins and Barbara Kenny; two special aunts and an uncle, Annette, Florence and Marcel.
She was loved by a wealth of cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & nephews and great grand-nieces & nephews. She also leaves behind a multitude of friends of all ages with whom she relished having fun and spending time.
Connie spent most of her youth in Nashua, NH until moving to near-by Hollis in 1964. Soon thereafter, she and Jim started the their country store and the Hollis Flea Market which she owned and operated until 1995. After selling the Flea Market, Connie continued to operate a parking lot so she could continue to be part of the flea market community that gave her so much joy. She loved Sundays at the flea market meeting new people, making friends, handing out candy, toys and books to anyone who would take one. It was a bittersweet day for Connie and the entire flea market community when she retired from her parking lot in September 2018.
Connie never met a stranger. She was in love with life and in love with people, especially children, who seemed to naturally gravitate toward her. She was a generous caregiver. Her home had an open door policy for anyone who needed an ear, a shoulder, a friend, a meal or a bed. She was a second mother or “Aunt Connie” to so many people who came through that open door. She helped out many struggling families and friends in whatever way she could and usually without being asked.
No matter what happened as Connie struggled with her illness and how challenging her days became she never lost her sense of humor, her warmth or her ability to charm and make friends. This was never more evident than the many weeks she spent at Alice Peck Day Hospital where she became the nurses’ favorite patient, “sweet Connie”.
There will be a memorial service Thursday June 6th at 1pm at the Hollis Congregational Church followed by a celebratory gathering of her friends and family at Alpine Grove in Hollis.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or a charity of your choice benefitting children.