Judith Kenny

Judith Kenny Obituary

Judith Keyes Kenny passed away peacefully at her home in the Rose Villa Retirement Community on Sunday, March 18th. Judith was born on the John Day River, near the town of Fossil, Oregon, to the late Henry D. and Anna (Bonnie) Keyes. Raised on a sheep ranch, Judith grew up appreciating the beauty of the area and its history. Her early fascination with both fueled her development as a teacher and researcher and inspired her children, grandchildren and students as well.

Judith’s education began in a one-room school house in Twickenham, Oregon and ended with her graduate work at Portland State University. She met her husband of fifty-four years, James Patrick Kenny, in 1949 while they were students at Eastern Oregon College of Education. From that beginning they shared a commitment to education, their family and faith. They started their married life in 1950 in Fossil, Oregon, moving to Hermiston several years later, and then settling in Lake Oswego in 1960.

Judith held several “dream jobs.” She wrote a column on Oregon history for the East Oregonian for two years around the time of the state’s centennial. She taught for a number of years with the majority of her time spent at Tigard High School. During her years at THS (1972-1989), she developed courses that reflected her interest in anthropology and world history while positively influencing the lives of many of her students. Upon retirement, Judith volunteered as an archivist for the Clackamas County Historical Society Museum, earning acknowledgment as volunteer of the year in 1997-98. During the mid-1980s, with her husband Jim, she took a leadership role in establishing L’Arche Nehalem, a home and community for those with intellectual disabilities that has since grown into L’Arche Portland.

She is survived by her children: Anna and husband Michael Cole of Missoula MT; Judith and husband Thomas Hubka of Portland; Mary and husband Kent Norville of Oregon City; and son Kevin of Portland. Judith (Grammy) is also survived by her grandchildren Josh Norville of Boston, MA and Jamie Norville of Notre Dame IN. Her husband Jim predeceased her in December 2004. Judith’s family wishes to thank her care providers at Rose Villa and Trilogy Home Care for their friendship and support during her last months.

A funeral mass will be held for her at 11:00am, June 2nd at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego. Reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either the Tamastslikt Cultural Center (47106 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton OR 97801) or the National Kateri Shrine (PO Box 627, Fonda NY 12068).

Funeral Mass

11:00 AM ,Saturday, June 2, 2018
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
Lake Oswego
Notes: Reception to follow in the church hall.

Services

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One reply on “Judith Kenny”

Judith has been a dear friend for many years, I so admired and respected her.I will be at her Funeral as I remember so much about her. She was truly a loving, caring woman – whose faith in God inspired many others.

Margaret Jamieson