Mary Kenney

PETERSHAM- Mary Kenney, age 77, a native of Petersham, died quietly in her sleep on October 13, 2025 at Alliance Health in Baldwinville.

She was born in Ware on June 17, 1948, the daughter of the late George T. Kenney and the late Joan (Keating) Kenney.

Mary resided in Petersham most of her life, living the last 6 years in Gardner and Baldwinville.

She attended Southern Connecticut State College for a short time before studying at Worcester

Industrial Technical Institute (WITI) where she received an Associates Degree in Data

Processing. She went on to undergraduate and graduate study at Worcester State College

where her varied academic interests led her to receive a Masters Degree in Education. She

also earned a certificate in Paralegal Studies at Anna Maria College.

Mary worked many years in education and business before taking the role of the Director of the

Athol Housing Authority where she worked for several years. She became the North Quabbin

Community Coalition Director until 2000. She was then hired by the Department of Families

and Children to oversee western Massachusetts coalitions in support of families. She retired in

2012.

She volunteered for community events, once served on the Selectboard, and remained

an active town resident until an injury compelled her to leave her home in Petersham.

Mary is survived by a brother Michael J. Kenney and his wife Bonnie Stagg of Italy, NY; a sister,

Bernadette M. Kenney and her husband Larry Slaughter of Williamsburg, VA; a sister-in-law,

Linda (Perkins) Kenney of Petersham; nephews, Cris Kenney of Italy, NY, Benjamin Menard of

Columbus OH, Steven “Beaver” Barnes and his wife Lori of Athol, and Chris Barnes and his wife

Susan of Petersham. Special thanks to Mary’s dear friend, Rebecca Bialecki, for her devoted

support and care.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and two brothers Joseph E. Kenney and Peter J. Kenney,

all of Petersham.

Calling hours will be held on October 30, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home,

158 South Main Street, Orange.

A graveside ceremony will be held on October 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., at East Street Cemetery in Petersham, MA and is open to all who wish to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by check to the North Quabbin Community Coalition,

251 Exchange St., Athol, MA 01331 or through PayPal or Venmo at

https://nqcc.org/membership-donate/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Kenney, please visit our floral

Store, www.wittyfuneralhome.com

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Kenney, please visit our floral store.