Obituary of Anne Kenney

October 12, 1929 – Montreal, Quebec

November 23, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Anne Kenney (nee Lersey) on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at the age of 94.

Born Annie Lersey in Montreal, Quebec, Anne was the only child of Danish immigrants. After moving to Edmonton at age eight, she dedicated herself as a student who took part in many clubs and committees in her high school years and beyond. She was proud of her academic standing throughout her school years, including the coveted Penmanship Awards she received regularly. From being the first woman on the Program Board of Management of the YMCA to teaching dance lessons to joining Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Anne was always socially active.

Her family enjoyed summers at Mulhurst on Pigeon Lake, which was always a fond memory. She was an adventurer who, at age 24, traveled by steam ship for a six-month solo trip through Europe. Following that, she returned to work for CN Rail and enjoyed train travel throughout Canada. She worked for the Canadian Consulate in Ottawa and then transferred to the Canadian Consulate in Denmark. Two highlights included attending a five-week conference at the United Nations Economic and Social Council in Geneva and having a private meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Her work led her back to Edmonton where she re-connected with her boyfriend Nick, who became her beloved husband of 60 years. They moved to Calgary for work, with Anne joining Alberta and Southern Gas Co. (later, TCPL) as an executive secretary. During this time, Anne and Nick raised two daughters of whom they were fiercely proud. They enjoyed time as a family cross country skiing in the winter and summers in Kelowna, where they made lifelong friends. Eventually, Anne proudly became an officer of the company at A and S before she retired after 27 years.

Retirement led Anne and Nick to live in Priddis on the golf course where they were very involved in the community. They loved watching the changing scenery of the foothills through their kitchen window and observing the different birds that came to their feeders. Anne was an enthusiastic golfer and bridge player and loved keeping up with sports of all kinds. Anne and Nick enjoyed their trips to Arizona and Parksville where they spent their winters golfing and walking on the beach at low tide.

Anne always looked forward to the annual Boxing Day Danish Smorgasbord with all her family in attendance. It allowed her to share in her heritage and pass her traditions and recipes on to her children and grandchildren. Throughout the years, and right until her last day, Anne was known as a fashionable dresser who never missed her weekly hair appointment and always left the house looking well put together, including wearing her bright pink lipstick.

Anne loved her family with all her heart and deeply wanted to know that everyone was happy and finding success. She was interested in all that was going on with everyone and enjoyed visiting. She loved to laugh at a good story and remembered everything. Her last days were spent regaling her family with many stories. We were always amazed at the accuracy and detail she was able to recall about her own life and others. Her clarity and memory always left us in awe. We were so fortunate to spend this time with Anne, expressing our love for her and allowing her the chance to tell us how much she loved us and how proud she was of everyone.

Anne is survived by her daughters, Karen (Steve) Gowda and Susan (Brent) Kinnie. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren and their spouses, Kirsten (Ken) Chmela, Alex (Ainsley Vettese) Gowda, Nicholas (Taylor) Kinnie, Nathan (Brooklyn) Kinnie and Sam Kinnie; and her three great-grandchildren, Penelope, Olivia, and Hudson. Anne’s family also looks forward to the arrival of a fourth great-grandchild, in the new year.

A private family service will be held. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff and residents at The Manor Village Fish Creek for the friendship and kindness they offered while Anne lived there, and Many thanks also go out to Dr. Lee and the staff in the emergency department and Unit 73 of the Rocky View Hospital.

In living memory of Anne Kenney, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.