GLOUCESTER: Miss Constance M. Kennefick, 87, died Sunday, January 9, 2011 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Gloucester on November 1, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Thomas H. and Lillian E. (Allicon) Kennefick.
She was a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1941 and worked for many years on reunion committees. She received a B.S. in Education from Bridgewater State Teachers’ College in 1945 and a M.A. in Education from Boston University with the class of 1955.
Miss Kennefick taught second grade at the former Point Grammar School and then first grade at East Gloucester Elementary School from it’s opening in 1949 until her retirement in 1984.
She first traveled to Rome in 1950 for The Holy Year and revisited many times. She traveled through Europe, Ireland, to the Holy Land, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Mexico, Canada and much of the United States.
A talented artist, she enjoyed many summers with friends, Jim Salamoni and Joe diGemma. She studied with local artists and spent many summers painting at the Emile Gruppe Gallery on Rocky Neck. She enjoyed music, especially the piano, and had learned to play the carillon bells. Gardening, studying scripture and swimming at the pool club were also favorite pastimes. She collected antique buttons and was a member of the North Shore, Mass State and National Button Society and won many prizes in competition.
Devoted to her faith, she attended the former St. Peter’s Church since childhood. In 1974 she was presented to Bishop Thomas Riley there and was commissioned as a lay minister of the Eucharist. In this ministry, she visited the local hospital and nursing homes, and served the church.
Her memberships include the Cape Ann College Women’s Club, St. Peter’s Sodality and St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Cape Ann Historical Society, where she did art research in their library. She was also a member of the Bridgewater State College Alumni and Boston University Alumni and served many years on the Board of Trustees at St. Mel’s Independent School.
She is survived by her cousins and their families, Margaret E., wife of the late Russell T. Kennefick, Mark S. Kennefick, companion of Pamela J. Sonia, James R. Kennefick, companion of Lila Marnoto, Daniel J., husband of Diane Kennefick, Donald P., husband of Mary Kennefick, Timothy W., husband of Vicky Kennefick, Jane M., wife of Chris Coogan, Russell J., husband of Cynthia Kennefick, Phyllis, wife of Bill Simone, Mary Stockdale, Margaret Durst, Jean Zinno and Mary Jean Kennefick. She was also predeceased by her cousin James and his wife, Alice Kennefick.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 21st in the Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to St. Ann’s School, Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA 01930.