Obituary for Maureen Patricia Farrell Kenner
Maureen Patricia Farrell Kenner was definitely one of the lucky ones. She lived her dream. From a very young age, her heart was in the classroom. For thirty-five years she was a Special Education Teacher in the Providence Public Schools. Born and raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York, Maureen came to Rhode Island to pursue her calling, graduating from Rhode Island College with a degree in education and later earning a Masters Degree from Providence College. Maureen was a vital influence at the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point, working tirelessly as a mentor and active participant for the betterment of all children and their families.
Her social energy was boundless as was her commitment to her community; she was especially proud of her involvement in the PTO and Eye to Eye. Honored with many accolades throughout her career, Maureen was awarded Providence Public School Teacher of the Year in 2003. Maureen’s qualities as a Special Education teacher: resilient, tolerant and empathetic, mirrored her life outside the classroom. In bright colors and silver jewelry, her trusty ice water with lemon always at hand, Maureen was a fervent lover of the arts, a past President of All Children’s Theater, and invariably the loudest clapper in the room. Living with cancer, as a model patient, Maureen exemplified integrity, courage, grace, and hope. For thirty-one years, through sickness and health, Maureen was the beloved soul mate to the late Jacob “Buddy” Kenner, her intense love recognized in 2016 as a Rhode Island Caregiver of the Year.
A dedicated mother to sons Daniel, Jesse and Aaron Kenner; loving daughter to Joanne Gorman Farrell and John L. Farrell Jr.; and devoted sister to John and wife Diane, Jayne and husband Bill, Dianne and husband Phil, and Michael and wife Melanie. Maureen’s talented grandchildren Julia, Isaac, Judah, Clara, Ruby, and Alice and her sixteen blessed nieces and nephews, always “All In,” brought her infinite joy. Maureen was a loyal daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, Godmother, friend, and colleague.
Her family will receive visitors on Saturday March 25th from 10:00 to 10:45am at Church at St. Sebastian, 67 Cole Avenue, Providence, RI followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am. Donations in Maureen’s memory can be made to Maureen’s Garden at Vartan Gregorian, c/o Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point, 455 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 or to the Maureen Farrell Kenner Endowed Scholarship, Providence College – OIA, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918.
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Her social energy was boundless as was her commitment to her community; she was especially proud of her involvement in the PTO and Eye to Eye. Honored with many accolades throughout her career, Maureen was awarded Providence Public School Teacher of the Year in 2003. Maureen’s qualities as a Special Education teacher: resilient, tolerant and empathetic, mirrored her life outside the classroom. In bright colors and silver jewelry, her trusty ice water with lemon always at hand, Maureen was a fervent lover of the arts, a past President of All Children’s Theater, and invariably the loudest clapper in the room. Living with cancer, as a model patient, Maureen exemplified integrity, courage, grace, and hope. For thirty-one years, through sickness and health, Maureen was the beloved soul mate to the late Jacob “Buddy” Kenner, her intense love recognized in 2016 as a Rhode Island Caregiver of the Year.
A dedicated mother to sons Daniel, Jesse and Aaron Kenner; loving daughter to Joanne Gorman Farrell and John L. Farrell Jr.; and devoted sister to John and wife Diane, Jayne and husband Bill, Dianne and husband Phil, and Michael and wife Melanie. Maureen’s talented grandchildren Julia, Isaac, Judah, Clara, Ruby, and Alice and her sixteen blessed nieces and nephews, always “All In,” brought her infinite joy. Maureen was a loyal daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, Godmother, friend, and colleague.
Her family will receive visitors on Saturday March 25th from 10:00 to 10:45am at Church at St. Sebastian, 67 Cole Avenue, Providence, RI followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am. Donations in Maureen’s memory can be made to Maureen’s Garden at Vartan Gregorian, c/o Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point, 455 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 or to the Maureen Farrell Kenner Endowed Scholarship, Providence College – OIA, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918.
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