Inez Kenny

Deceased Sisters

Inez Kenny - Ireland
20/09/1927 - 03/08/2021

It was with great sadness that we said goodbye our dear Sr Inez on August 3^rd, 2021. Those of us who had the privilege to sit by her bedside as she undertook her final journey, were deeply touched by her obvious peace and courage as she surrendered her beautiful soul to God. Her frail body and gnarled fingers told their own story, one of complete dedication to a life of selfless service to the Marist family.

Sr Inez, born Rose Patricia Kenny, was born on 20 September 1927, to Peter and Margaret Kenny in New York. A couple of years later the family returned to their native home in Glenfarne, Co Leitrim where Sr Inez attended Primary School in Brockagh, Glenfarne and Secondary School in the Marist Convent, Carrick on Shannon. On completion of her Secondary Education, Sr Inez did her training in Carysfort Training College and entered the Marist Novitiate in 1947. Having completed her Novitiate, she made her first profession in 1949 and perpetual profession in 1953.

As a young enthusiastic sister, Sr Inez embraced the Marist way of life with love and devotion to those young people under her care. Hers was a holistic programme which included human and faith formation for children and often their parents. Those same children, now parents themselves, write back or visit her and recall very fond memories of their earlier days.

The legacy she leaves, individually and collectively, is enormous. Her selfless dedication to her work as Primary School teacher, Headteacher, Leader of local Community, Parish Ministry, Peace and Reconciliation, Communications and Secretary General of the Congregation has inspired many generations of young people to follow a path of selfless service in their own homes and Communities.

Sr Inez had a great gift for the Arts. She shared those gifts so generously. I remember the occasions when she regaled the Community and visitors like myself with the song “Are you right there Michael, are you right”. Calligraphy was a special gift. Sr Inez would create little scrolls with the date of our professions and other special moments in our lives. Many of us learned embroidery and tatting from her. Some Altar cloths bear the mark of her skill. She was indeed a unique person – so talented.

Her love for the Languages, History - particularly Irish History, is well known. She loved her homeland and immersed herself in all that was truly Irish. She was an avid reader. One of the last books Inez read was “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Alboam. It reminded her of her final journey which she would soon take.

I would like to share with you Sr Inez’s final request and this truly speaks for itself.

“The Requiem Mass is a beautiful and complete conclusion to the life of a sister of which the Constitutions, the Rosary and the love of Our Lady are the bedrock.”

The Gospel St John 14:1-3 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Sr Inez chose this text with the proviso that there should not be any “palaver” in the homily --“This is your life” - The whens and wheres don’t matter.

A special request for No Memorial Card, A picture of Our Lady and no other picture to be put on a single Mass leaflet, a bunch of wild flowers on the coffin (No cut flowers at all) was adhered to on her behalf.

Finally Sr Inez’s plea is that the Requiem Mass be a plea for God’s mercy for the deceased and not a celebration of life.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Deceased Sisters

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