Alice M. Kenny

PORTLAND — Alice M. Kenny, 81, of Portland, died on Sunday, Dec. 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, the 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, N.Y., and then to Long Island where they raised five 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 in 1985, where she had maintained a summer residence since 1970. She wintered in Ponce Inlet, Fla. She enjoyed socializing with her neighbors in Hiram and Ponce Inlet and was a gracious hostess.

She was predeceased by two sisters and one brother.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years; three daughters, Alice Susan Lawson of East Walpole, Mass., Ellen Kenny of Nazareth, Pa. and Laura Kenny of Montclair, N.Y.; two sons, Thomas Kenny of Portland and Mark Kenny, also 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. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com

Memorial donations may be made to: National Parkinson Foundation at www.parkinson.org or 1-800-327-4545.