Joan M. Kenney
Passed on June 20, 2023
Resident of Easton, MA
Joan M. Kenney, of Easton, passed away peacefully late in the evening on June 20, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born on April 25, 1951 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Joseph and Carolyn (Anton) Iacovone. She was raised in Rockland and attended Holy Family School. Joan graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton where she formed lasting friendships with many classmates. Joan was honored with the Sequere Deum Alumni Award. She also carried the banner for the Class of 1969 at the fifty-year celebration of CSHS.
Joan earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Elms College majoring in Social Work. She was inspired to be a social worker by the late Ed O’Brien.
Joan began her career at Catholic Charities in Brockton as an Adoption Counselor.
She continued her education during this time at Boston University taking weekend courses (while being a loving wife, dedicated mother, and devoted sister and daughter). Joan earned her MSW from BU in 1985;
her mother, a retired school teacher that valued education, was extremely proud of Joan when she received her Master’s Degree. In 1991, Joan began working at the Adult Learning Center in the Brockton Public Schools. She then became a School Adjustment Counselor for B.P.S. retiring in 2012.
Joan is survived by her husband of 48 years, Tom, her children, Katelyn and Joseph, her sister, Judy Armstrong and the late Ray Armstrong, sister-in-law to Kathleen Kenney, James (Mary) Kenney, Joe (Tracy) Kenney, and Ellen (Brian) Cadigan. She is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Joan loved holidays, parties, reunions, water aerobics, dancing to Motown and especially Diana Ross.
Those that knew Joan cannot listen to a Supremes’ song without thinking of her.
Joan loved life and attending ballgames. She was an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan. She was always so positive and cheered for everyone.
Joan was an exceptional social worker and friend. She radiated love, warmth, and compassion. She had a great smile and engaging personality. Joan was a wonderful friend and was always fun to be with.
Joan knew what was important in life: family, friends, and helping others. The world was a better place with Joan Kenney in it. She will be missed by many.
The family would like to thank Steve Tyer and his wonderful staff at the Copley in Stoughton for the care they provided Joan.
Ron Hoffman, Brenda, and the people at Compassionate Care ALS in Falmouth were very supportive of Joan during her illness, and it was greatly appreciated.
All are welcome to calling hours on Monday, June 26, from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Hurley Funeral Home,
134 South Main Street, Randolph. Funeral from the Hurley Funeral Home, on Tuesday, June 27 at 9:15 A.M. followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at St. Michael’s Church, Avon at 10 A.M. Interment at Holy Family Cemetery in Rockland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to Cardinal Spellman High School Hall of Fame, 738 Court Street, Brockton, MA 02302.
Tom, although We did not know Joan, we wish to express our sincere condolances for your loss. We both know how devastating it is to lose our spouses. Please take care of yourself and stay close to your children……
Love,
Lenny and Pat
Dear Tom, Katie, Joe, Judy and all of Joan's Family and Friends, I am deeply sorry for your Great loss, How blessed I feel to have spent some wonderful hours with Joan these last few months. She truly was a beautiful person with an incredibly loving soul. She truly loved with her whole heart. I am a better person to have known Joan.
Christine
Joan Kenney- was one of a kind!
A dedicated and caring friend whom I will always cherish!
I remember my first day as a new, incoming BPS teachers – 20+ years ago. Luckily, it was Joan, who picked me up at the orientation and brought me to the Plouffe School opening day meeting! On that day, I made a truly wonderful friend! A friend who was always willing to listen (regardless of the situation) and fill me with Oreo's and candy if a school day went awry.
The world will miss you, Joan!
I CARE CAT will always be incredibly PROUD of you!
Words can not describe how much I will miss you! I will always have my memories- the fun school days, the many serious/ comical discussions after school- the candy and treats you kept hidden in the bottom drawer of your file cabinet- the beautiful purple gloves you bought me for Christmas one year, the fun dinners and ice cream trips with Michelle and Sharon and most of all- I will miss your beaming smile and twinkling eyes- I LOVE you Joan!
Love you to the moon and back- Kristin XOXO
When I think of Joan I think of happy times, lots of laughs, a warm smile, big big heart, kindnesses and thoughtfulness personified and so much love for her best boyfriend ever, Tom and tremendous pride in Katie and Joe's many successes. Joan, you may have loved Diana Ross to the max but it was Tina Turner who meant you when she sang "Simply the best…better than all the rest!!! With much love and admiration,
Gerry McLaughlin Osborne
I attended Cardinal Spellman HS with Joan and her husband Tom from 1965-69 and cannot think of a nicer person. She was involved and she cared. May she rest in peace and may her family her family be consoled with the knowledge that she helped many people.
I have been blessed to know Tom and Joan over a span of 40 plus years.
After Tom came to work for Brockton Public Schools our friendship picked up where it left off. Tom recruited me after my retirement in 2008 to give him a hand in the Brockton High School Athletics Department. Best job I ever had. I would have worked for free!
I have never met such a caring and generous couple. Always there to help out. Joan and I became fast friends. She worked along side of me running a snack bar at Brockton High basketball games.
May you rest in peace Joan…You will be missed.
Love,
Paula Lee
Dear Cousin Tom and Family,
So very sorry for your loss. I send my condolences, support and love to you all at this difficult time.
After reading the story of Joan's life, i can better appreciate the gravity of your loss. There is much comfort, though, in the extraordinary life she lived. Clearly, she gave her heart and support to those in need throughout her life. And, lived life to the fullest. She lives on in your memories of her.
Diane
Once you met Joan Kenney you never forgot the beauty in her smile, the laughter in her voice and feel the caring in her heart.She was the life of the party when she pulled out her L C R game, chips.,dice,and dollars, what fun.
Joan has been taken from this earth to heavenly peace, rest and
eternal life that God has prepared for us. May the Angles comfort you and we all send our Prayers and Blessings We Love You Joan. Bobby and Sherri Bonnette
So very sorry for your extreme loss.
On behalf of Judy Armstrong's classmates, we'd like to express our condolences for the loss of her sister Joan May the family find comfort at this most difficult time
I will alway treasure working with Joan in the summer school program. She was an incredible counselor and a wonderful friend. My deepest sympathies to Tom and family.
Dear Tom, Joe and Kate,
Diane and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved wife and mom ,Joan. I met Joan only once but I know enough about her through you and her work to know that eternal life, happiness and salvation are already hers. Our sincerest condolences.
Peter And Diane vuono
MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Joan Kenney,
You are probably the kindest and most compassionate person I have ever met. A beautiful angel has entered Heaven. Rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to Tom and Family.
I’m sorry to hear about Mrs. Kenney's passing. I played baseball with Joe at Spellman and his mom was an extremely caring person who supported all the kids on the team. My thoughts are with you guys during this difficult time.
Tom, My sincere sympathy to you and your family. May she rest in peace.
Very sad news. I have lots of great high school memories with the Kenney family. Mrs Kenney was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Gone too soon but never forgotten. ?
Tom
So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing.
May your memories of her ease the pain of her loss.
Thinking of you and your family.
Jack
Dear Tom,
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Joan, who was an incredibly kind, friendly woman we met during our UMASS Amherst days when she visited you on campus. Our thoughts are with you, your children, your entire family and many friends. May you have the best memories to sustain you.