LACONIA ---- Janet Marie Kenny, 92, of Ledges Drive, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord, NH.
Janet was born on February 6, 1933, in Belém, Brazil, the daughter of Manoel Leonidas and Mildred (Tierney) de Albuquerque.
In her youth, Janet enjoyed fishing with her friends, caring for puppies and birds of all kinds, and going to the beach. She participated in beauty pageants and modeling, winning 2nd place in Miss Belém. After high school, she moved to Miami, Florida to study at Barry College (now Barry University). After graduation, she joined VARIG Airlines in New York as Passenger Service Ground Hostess. In 1959, while visiting her parents in Brazil, she was introduced to James Michael Kenny at a party. She said she thought dad was a “square” and yet, she stayed in Brazil for two extra weeks. Shortly after she returned to the US, James proposed to her via telegram and she accepted, beginning a marriage that would last over 65 years.
For the first 18 years of their marriage, they lived in Santos, Brazil where they raised their four children. In 1978 the family moved to Rockville Centre, NY and stayed until the year 2000. The next 17 years Janet and James resided in Amagansett, NY until their last move to Laconia, NH. Janet centered her life around her family. Janet spent many years working in the retail industry with Lord & Taylor and Talbots. While living in Amagansett she also volunteered at Ladies Village Improvement of East Hampton.
Janet loved being a mother and absolutely adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and going to the theatre. Her quiet dignity and gentleness drew others to her and she was generous with her attention and laughter. She was a beautiful person, inside and out, who was known for her patience, kindness, and grace.
Janet is survived by her son J. Michael Kenny and his wife Saba of Texas, daughters, Melissa Detwiller and her husband Thomas of New Hampshire, Mona Pruhs and her husband Matthew of Wisconsin and Sandra Constable and her husband Mark of Pennsylvania, and thirteen grandchildren, Maya, Daniel, Cameron, Luiza, Samuel, Vivian, Oscar, Everett, Magnus, Daken, Natasha, Whitney and Monica. In addition to her parents, Janet is predeceased by her beloved husband, James Michael Kenny, who passed away on November 20, 2025, their daughter Mary, sister Peggy Wilson and brothers Jack de Albuquerque and Paul de Albuquerque.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00am, at St. Andre Bessette Parish at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246.
Burial will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Janet’s name to the Granite VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301 or to the Food Pantry at Christ the King Parish, 67 S State Street, Concord, NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.