Dorothy T. Kenna

Obituary of Dorothy T. Kenna June 08, 1923-December 22, 2024

Dorothy was born in Long Island City on June 08, 1923 to Amelia (Emma) Hines and John Kenna. She was
the youngest of five siblings all of whom predeceased her. Dorothy and her family later relocated to
Woodside, Queens. The area had many farms, undeveloped lots and dirt roads. It was the perfect place
for a child to explore and roast “mickeys” on an open fire. The swamps were also a place to play as long
as you somehow managed to stay clean. Later Dorothy would walk every morning to St Sebastian
Grammar School which was a bit of a hike from her home. Corpus Christi was yet to be built. Next
Dorothy went to William Cullen Bryant High School. She then started in the business world as was the
trend back then. Dorothy next had a long and satisfying career as a supervisor with Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith as it was called then. She showed her independence and moxie for that time period in
1971 when she and her best friend, Marian purchased a house in Mineola, Long Island. They enjoyed
entertaining family, friends and neighbors for all occasions. The next ahead of its time thing Dorothy did
was to take early retirement at age 55. Her parting gift was a color tv which was quite impressive.
Dorothy loved to travel especially with groups put together by her friend, Father Leonard. Dorothy had
an unwavering faith in God. She started doing volunteer work as a teenager with the MCA (Missionary
Cenacle Apostolate). She would make trips to Welfare Island (now Roosevelt Island). Later Dorothy and
Marian became Eucharist Ministers for their parish, St Aidan’s as well as at Winthrop Hospital. They also
volunteered at The Inn, a homeless shelter and food bank in Hempstead, LI. Dorothy loved donning her
red volunteer jacket at Queen of Peace Residence for over 30 years. It is not surprising that in the last
chapter of her life Dorothy would find comfort in choosing to reside within those same walls. She loved
to attend mass daily and participate in all the fun activities offered throughout the day. In true Dorothy-
like fashion her room was decorated for the holidays and her Christmas tree was out and decorated. She
had help from her friend, Nancy to locate all her Christmas sweatshirts to wear for the upcoming holiday
week. One very fond memory Dorothy had was the celebration of her 100 th birthday in 2023. Kevin, her
nephew, made a wish when he was little that Dorothy would live to 100. Well, he got his wish & then
some. Her longevity can be attributed to her faith in God, her charitable works and her love of Jeopardy
and Columbo reruns. Dorothy and one of her dear friends, Helen Quinn as teenagers were big Frank
Sinatra fans. Like Dorothy’s teenager idol she certainly did it her way. Dorothy touched so many lives
with her great stories, wisdom and especially her sense of humor. She was one of a kind and will be
sorely missed by all. Dorothy is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

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