Mary M. (Kenney) Deleva

HOLYOKE

Mary Margaret (Kenney) Deleva passed peacefully in Mass General Hospital, Oncology Section in Northampton, MA, with family at her bedside.  She fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Mary was born in Holyoke on October 7, 1938, daughter of the late James E. and Mary (O’Brien) Kenney and resided in Holyoke with her family.  Mary studied education at Westfield State University and was on the road to follow in her family business of teaching. However, after her education, she decided to enter the business world and was employed by A T & T for many years.  With the onset of having her own family she made the decision to be home and raise her children and support her husband’s MSP career.  For the past 20 years she wintered in Naples, Fl and spent her summers in Holyoke.  She was a dear friend to many, in both venues, socially and for her volunteer work in the charitable & service organization, Italian Society of Southwest Florida.  Mary worked tirelessly raising money for the Naples based Avow Hospice.  In this effort, she participated as a fashion model in a very popular annual and well received event.  She was a regular participant and volunteer for the MSP annual Naples St. Patrick’s Parade on 5^th Avenue.  For many years, Mary volunteered to work at the associated MSP related annual March social events. The dignity she presented in her every day life was enviable by all who knew her.  She left this world a better place by all of us. She was warmly assisted in her final journey by the Oncology Staff of Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Mary is survived by her husband, Joseph Anthony Deleva, a native of West Springfield.  They celebrated their 55^th anniversary on May 23^rd.  She is also survived by her two children, V. James Deleva of Stamford, CT and Mary O’Connell of Hatfield, MA; a grandson, Joseph F. O’Connell of Hatfield; a sister, Margaret C. Randal and a brother, James A. Kenney of South Carolina, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Edward Kenney and son-in-law, David M. O’Connell.  The Funeral will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 10:45 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Cross Church, Holy Cross Avenue.  Burial will be private.  Calling hours will be held Monday morning at the funeral home from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

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