Mary E. (Holton) McKenney

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Mary E. (Holton) McKenney, 87 died peacefully on June 9, 2013 in her Buttonwoods home, with family at her side. She was the wife of the late William E. McKenney, Jr. MD.

Born in Providence, the eldest daughter of Philip J. Holton, Jr. and Madeline (Keily) Holton, she lived in Warwick for 59 years and also spent winters in Bradenton, Florida for over 30 years. Mary was a graduate of Holy Name School, St. Francis Xavier Academy Class of 1943, where she was Class President, and the Rhode Island College of Education, Class of 1947. She taught elementary school, and then raised her family of five children before working as a real estate broker for several years. She was an officer of the Buttonwoods Chapel Board, and a member of the Buttonwoods Beach Garden Club. She was active in the Auxiliary at Kent County Memorial Hospital and remained a lifelong supporter of Kent Hospital’s mission and efforts. She was also a longtime CCD teacher at St. Clement Parish, and with her husband, Bill, was a leader of the Parents’ Councils at Bishop Hendricken and Prout Memorial High Schools in the 1970’s. Mary’s greatest joy was her family - she loved hosting get-togethers and holiday events around her pool in Buttonwoods, or welcoming visitors to her Bradenton condominium. Nana’s stories could take many amusing and unexpected turns, keeping her children, grandchildren and friends laughing and “in gales”! Mary will be remembered for her vivacious smile, love of travel and adventure, and her youthful spirit. She and her family owe a debt of gratitude to the compassionate staff of Care New England VNA – Health Touch and Hospice – most especially the caring, dedicated CNAs - as well as to Kent physicians Dr. Kristen DiMarco, Dr. Stephen Matarese, Dr. Naveed Rana, Dr. Anthony Mechrefe and Dr. Kate Lally.

She is survived by three sons, William E. McKenney III of Alexandria, Virginia, Paul F. (and Mary Ann) McKenney MD and Mark P. (and Tricia) McKenney, Esq. of Warwick, and two daughters, Maryjo (and Ron) Covey RN of Hooksett, New Hampshire and Ann Marie (and Richard) DeMontigny of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. She also has thirteen grandchildren: Meaghan (and Joshua) Wile, Bridget (and Andrew) Malachowski, Colleen (and Steven) Flachbart, Maura and Kerrin McKenney, Caitlin (and Kevin) Whalley, Cara and Daniel McKenney, Shana and Brendan Covey, and Patrick, Shannon and Katie DeMontigny; and one great-grandson, Conor Wile. Mary was the sister of the late Philip J. Holton III, DDS, Ann F. Conley RN, and Robert P. Holton.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, June 12 from 4-8 p.m. at Carpenter Jenks Funeral Home, 659 E. Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, RI 02893. Funeral from Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home at 8:45 a.m. followed with a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at SS Rose & Clement Church, 111 Long Street, Warwick, RI to which family and friends are invited. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Warwick.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Kent Hospital Foundation, William E. McKenney, MD Educational Fund, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886. Information and condolences at carpenterjenks.com.