Dezur Kenna of Manhattan, NY, passed peacefully on May 2, 2019. Having recently moved back to NH, to be under the care of family, after a long fight against cancer. Dezur was born November 14, 1955 in Philidelphia, PA and was the oldest of four children. She moved with her family to Derry, NH at the age of 10, where she was active in girl scouts and attended St. Thomas Aquinas School. She graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 1973 where she had been a star member of the Kaleidescope theater.
After high school, Dezur majored in Theater/Musical Theater at the University of New Hampshire. She was known for her amazing voice and became a singer in several cover bands during the 1970s. In 1980, she traveled to NYC to pursue her dreams in acting. Using her job as a bartender in several Times Square theaters, she was able to get her foot in the door and began acting in off-off Broadway shows. Most notably creating the role of Anna Dorothea, in Erik and the Snow Maidens. She had several spots in commercials and TV shows, such as Law & Order, before she turned to writing in 2000. She is the author of the full length play The Isle of Grace and with her creative partner, Eric Johnson, created, produced and starred in the Lieve & Needy series. This series was a source of much pride and enjoyment for Dezur and ran for several years, their final performance was in December 2017 to a sold-out crowd!
Dezur was pre-deceased by her loving parents Mark J. Kenna, Sr and Janet (Lang) Kenna of Leeseburg, FL, as well as her lifelong friend and partner in entertaining, Eric Johnson of Manhattan, NY.
Her family includes a sister Gina Merrill and her husband Rick of Derry, NH, brothers Mark Kenna and his wife Michelle of Wakefield, RI and Richard Kenna and his wife Rose of Carey, NC, nieces Megan Merrill, Shawndra Kenna and Claire Kenna, nephews Aaron Kenna, Matthew Merrill and Joshua Kenna. She also leaves four great-nieces, two great-nephews, many cousins and adoring friends.
After cremation, memorial services will be held at Peabody Funeral Home, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday June 15, 2019, with a Catholic prayer service at 11:30 am. lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dezur’s name to Home, Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive Merrimack, NH 03054.