McHugh, Marie T. formerly from Wellesley MA, passed away unexpectedly in Chapel Hill, NC on November 28 after recently celebrating her 85th birthday. She was the beloved wife of Richard (Dick) Kenney for 14 years and devoted sister of Eileen Mullin. Marie was preceded in death by Edward J. McHugh, her husband of 41 years. She was the loving mother of Cathy Engstrom (John, deceased), Janet Kelly (Shaun), Edward McHugh (Lynn Mumma), and Ellen McHugh and ever-present, doting grandmother of Erin, Meghan, and Michael Engstrom, Briana and Kelly McHugh, and step grandchildren Michael and Caitlin Pettengill. She also was fully embraced by and adored Dick’s children Catherine Kenney Morrison (Brian), Richard Kenney (Dana), Mary Beth Kenney Sweet, Terence Kenney (Arlene Pomerantz), Anne Kenney Utley (Steven) and his 12 grandchildren.
Born in Waltham, MA, Marie graduated from Ursuline Academy and Manhattanville College (History and French Literature, 1953), and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in History at Harvard University (1958). She was a professor and chair of the History Department at Newton College of the Sacred Heart. In 1975, she was appointed as the first woman with decanal responsibilities in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College (BC) in a newly created assistant dean position. Over her 23-year tenure at BC, she served as an Assistant, Associate, Senior Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences (and twice as Interim Dean). While dean, she also was an adjunct professor of History and regularly taught in the Honors Program. Early on at BC, she played a critical leadership role in integrating the Newton College Catholic legacy into the BC Jesuit community. She took great pride in working at the institution from where her father, son, and granddaughter all graduated. She also deeply cared, believed in, and advocated for her students and advisees. After retirement, she continued to teach a variety of modern European History courses at Duke University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Everyone knew Marie as a wise, gracious, genuine, quiet, pragmatic, unflappable person, always infused with a positive outlook. She had extraordinary charm, good humor, strength and determination, grace and humility, and generosity of spirit and kindness. She had a deep-seated Irish loyalty and devotion to her family and friends, especially those in her Woodland, Quail Ridge, BC, and Chapel Hill communities. Over the decades, she welcomed her children’s countless friends, each of whom became part of her extended family. They all knew she always left the back door open for them, literally and figuratively. She never stopped socializing and having fun on and off the golf course with everyone. She has left each of us an example of enduring friendship, loyalty, positive spirit, and love of life.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. Wellesley, MA on Monday December 5 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Sunday from 4-8PM. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The William B. Neenan, S.J. Memorial Scholarship, Boston College, Cadigan Alumni Center, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 or The Carroll Center for The Blind, 770 Centre Street. Newton, MA.