Alice M. Kenny

PORTLAND - Alice M. Kenny, 81, of Back Cove Estates, died Sunday, December 30, 2012, at the Barron Center after a courageous struggle with Parkinson's disease. She was born in New York City on May 17, 1931, a daughter of John and Alice (Deary) McElroy. She was educated in Manhattan, attending St. Joseph's School and graduating from Cathedral High School. Alice recalled the New York City of her childhood as a time when it was rare for people to own cars and children often played games in the street. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas P. Kenny on March 1, 1949, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in New York City. Together they moved to Queens Village, NY, and then to Long Island where they raised 5 children. Alice loved to read for pleasure and to enhance her own awareness and understanding of the issues of the day. She had a sharp wit and did the NY Times crossword puzzle daily. Having instilled a love of learning and a keen sense of social justice in her children and grandchildren, she took great pride in their accomplishments and choice of professions. Alice worked for many years as a real estate agent for Birchwood Estates on Long Island. She retired and moved to Hiram, Maine in 1985, where she had maintained a summer residence since 1970. She wintered in Ponce Inlet, Florida. She enjoyed socializing with her neighbors in Hiram and Ponce Inlet and was a gracious hostess. She is predeceased by two sisters and one brother. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years; three daughters, Alice Susan Lawson and husband Michael of East Walpole, Massachusetts, Ellen Kenny and husband John Acconzo of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and Laura Kenny and husband Pierre de Laforcade of Montclair, New Jersey; two sons, Thomas Kenny and wife Susan of Portland, and Mark Kenny and wife Gina of Portland; nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hiram. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Memorial donations can be made to: National Parkinson Foundation - www.parkinson.org1-800-327-4545Online condolences may be expressed below.