Lenore Marie (Kelly) Hennessey, 98, Potsdam

POTSDAM -- Lenore Marie (Kelly) Hennessey, 98, passed away on February 9, 2024, at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, New York. Lenore and her twin brother, Timothy Leonard Kelly, Jr., were born on November 16, 1925, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the first of nine children born to Mary Lucille (McKeon) Kelly and Timothy Leonard Kelly, Sr. Her younger siblings often recalled the loving care she gave them as she helped her mother.

Lenore was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Thomas Hennessey, Sr. who passed away in March 2009 and by her twin brother along with other brothers, James W., Joseph E, Francis X, and David J. Kelly and sister, Lucille A. (Kelly) Cleary.

She is survived by children, Mary Ellen Hennessey (James) Nottage, Fishers, IN; Joseph Thomas, Jr. (Maureen) Hennessey, Richmond, MA; John Timothy Sr. (Cherle) Hennessey, Hannawa Falls, NY; James Michael Hennessey, Hannawa Falls, NY; and Kevin Patrick Hennessey, Hannawa Falls, NY; Grandchildren, Kelly A. Hennessey (Steven) Snyder, John T. Hennessey, Jr. (Lianne), Patrick J. Hennessey, and Catherine M Hennessey; and Great Grandchild, Riley J. Hennessey. She is also survived by sisters, Mary Jane Dempsey and Patricia Kelly both of California and by 40 nieces and nephews.

Life-long learning and teaching was a strong theme throughout Lenore’s life. She graduated from Brockton High School, Massachusetts in 1943 and from Bridgewater State College, Massachusetts, in 1947 earning her Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society pin and a BS in Education.

She went on to teach junior high school classes in Whitman, Massachusetts before earning her Masters degree in Geography from Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts in 1950. She was a pioneer in the field of geography which was not welcoming of women in that era.

Lenore was appointed to instructor of geography at Potsdam State Teachers College, where she taught from 1949 to 1952, retiring when she had her first child. Down the hall from her office at Potsdam State was a young assistant professor named Joseph T. Hennessey. They married on June 15, 1951, in Brockton, Massachusetts, and had 58 wonderful years together in Potsdam.

Lenore’s passion was her family, and she was a devoted wife and mother. She cared deeply for her brothers, sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

She loved to sew and made everything from baby clothes to tailored coats and suits for her family; her work was superb. Needlework and knitting were other pursuits she loved, and she provided family and friends with hundreds of things to wear and decorative items (especially Christmas) for their homes.

She continued to make various needlework gifts and donation items right up until her last days. She was a very generous woman.

Being a member of the Potsdam community was of great importance to Lenore. She was a faithful Catholic, devoted to St. Mary’s Church and her membership in the Altar and Rosary Society where she served a term as president.

She was the secretary of the first Parish Council and taught Christian Education Department classes at the church. Lenore was also active in Girl Scouts and was Troop Leader of a Junior Scout troop.

She was a member of Friends of the Library, Friends of the Potsdam Public Museum and the Potsdam Hospital Guild and served in many volunteer activities. She was an avid reader and took great pleasure in her book group membership.

Lenore greatly enjoyed athletic pursuits, having been an excellent swimmer and instructor throughout her life; she waterproofed her children when they were very young. In her young adult years, she was a duck pin bowling champion.

She was a member of the Potsdam Town and Country Club and enjoyed participation in the women’s leagues and was especially proud of her Hole-In-One. Exercise classes were a particular joy of hers, and she was an accomplished dancer – especially the jitterbug and was especially proud of her Hole-In-One.

She began travelling at a young age and spent many summers throughout her youth and adulthood at Swift’s Beach on Cape Cod; she instilled a love of the ocean in her children.

Visits to her children in Massachusetts, Kansas, California and Indiana, Vermont, Maine Maryland New Hampshire were many. She fulfilled a lifetime goal of spending time in Ireland with her husband, twin brother and his wife in 1981.

Lenore always marveled that she lived a wonderful life. And she did.

Friends may call at the Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home, Thursday from 4 - 7 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Joe Giroux celebrating.

Burial will be held in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Potsdam.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lenore’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home where friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences online at www.donaldsonseymour.com.