Nancy V. Kenney

Nancy V. Kenney, 76, of Bonita Springs, FL, having fought the good fight and finished the race, died peacefully after a long illness surrounded by family on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Formerly of Indianapolis, IN, she had been a Bonita resident since 2010. She was born October 3, 1940 in Manhattan, KS, the daughter of George L. and Margaret (née Grecian) Varnes. Nancy was a graduate of North Central High School in Indianapolis and attended Indiana University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married her lifelong love, Jim Kenney, in 1963, and celebrated her golden wedding anniversary on November 30th, 2013. She spent much of her early married life as a homemaker and a mother to four rambunctious boys. She filled the family homes on Brookview Lane and Conifer Court with laughter, love, and joy. Family vacations and summers spent on Sanibel and Captiva Islands were a particular joy in her life. She loved shelling on the beaches, taking fishing trips with her sons, and viewing sunsets at The Mucky Duck. She was also active in the Children’s Museum Guild of Indianapolis, and was a member of Woodland Country Club in Carmel and Bonita Bay Club. Outgoing, generous, friendly, and vivacious by nature, she was beloved by lifelong friends from her childhood in Indianapolis and more recent ones in Bonita Springs. Always gracious and charming, the only four letter word she knew was love. She set the standard for what a wife and mother should be. Her greatest attribute, however, was the tremendous courage she showed in battling a decades-long struggle against lupus and pulmonary hypertension. Despite tremendous physical suffering and pain, her primary concern was always the happiness of her husband, children and grandchildren. Her life was a testament to her Christian faith and her devoted concern to the needs of others above her own. Her family wishes to express their profound thanks to the many members of the nursing and medical profession who cared for her over the years, and in particular Dr. Ken Bookman and his office staff Heidi and Jennifer and Dr. Laura Lenholt and her office staff Lisa and Vickie, all of whom went to extraordinary lengths to care for her in her final years. She was fortunate to have the support of nurse Skip Hupman in Indianapolis, and she shared a special bond of friendship with her nurse, Annie Craig, who was sent by God to ease the suffering of her final months. Nancy is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, James E. Kenney; her beloved children, Mike (Kristi) Kenney of Carmel, IN, Tom (Dimitry) Kenney of Hastings, NY, Doug (Jerri) Kenney of Bonita Springs, FL, and John (Kimberly) Kenney of Boca Raton, FL; her sister, Georgeanne “Pud” (Robert) Riddell of Indianapolis, IN; two nephews, Bob (Kathy) Riddell, and Scott (Brooke) Riddell; a niece, Jenny Riddell; and eleven cherished grandchildren who she loved “a bushel, and a peck, and a hug around the neck,” Allison, Emily, Michael, Jack, Sam, William, Stuart, Ryan, Claire, Paige, and Ben. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10655 Haverstick Road, followed by a burial at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 9001 Haverstick Road. Visitation will be Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary Nora, 740 E. 86th Street. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her name to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (www.phassociation.org/donate) or the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org/action/join-the-fight). Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Nancy V. Kenney

October 3, 1940 - September 8, 2016