Anne Doyle Kenney of Arlington MA and more recently of Centerville MA died on February 5 2022 surrounded by her family, after a difficult struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Born on March 1 1932, Anne was the daughter of the late Donald Joseph and Mary Catherine (MacDonald) Doyle. Her parents immigrated from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and met in Boston. Anne attended St. Mark’s grammar school and Cardinal Cushing Central High School. After high school, she worked for the Holy Name Society Diocesan Offices until her marriage in 1953 to Joe Kenney. After living in Brighton for several years, in 1961 they bought a house in Arlington. Anne announced that this house needed a baby, which led to the happy arrival of their fourth child in 1963.

When Anne was in her forties and raising her four children, she pursued her goal of furthering her education. She attended the University of Massachusetts Boston and earned dual Bachelor's degrees in English and Political Science, graduating summa cum laude. While at UMass, Anne worked as a Teaching Assistant and then after graduation as a Research Assistant, earning a letter of recommendation from the Director of the Research Project which began with “Anne is simply the best secretary, administrative assistant and co-worker that one could find” and concluded with “In short, it is hard for me to imagine an applicant who could equal Anne Kenney”. Anne then moved into her career as an Editor and Publications Coordinator at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, producing 10 editions of the annual Proceedings publication which summarized the Institute’s programs, speeches, panel discussions, debates, books and articles.

Along with her interest in politics and skill as an editor, Anne was active in social justice work and was a champion of women's rights and a fierce advocate for the poor and underserved. During her 57 years in Arlington, Anne volunteered as a reading tutor and with the Mass League of Women Voters and numerous local political campaigns, served on the editorial board of Radical America Magazine, and participated in several book and poetry discussion groups.

Anne was the widow of the late Joseph C. Kenney. Anne cherished her family above all else and will be mourned by her son Christopher A. Kenney and wife Jane Hanson of Chester N.H., her son John Lawrence Kenney and wife Sandy of Weare N.H., her daughter Brenda Kenney Wilbur and husband Douglas of Sharon MA, her daughter Julie Kenney Myett and husband David of Centerville MA, her grandchildren Stacy Kenney of Dover NH, Charles J. Myett of Centerville and Dorchester MA, Justin J. Wilbur of Sharon MA and Syosset NY, and Dr. Andrew J. Wilbur and wife Dr. Ramya Krishnan of Milford CT, and her great-grandson Aadhi Wilbur of Milford CT.

Anne’s extended family included her late brother Rev. John L. Doyle, her late brother Donald J. Doyle and his late wife Margaret, her sister Sr. Mary L. Doyle, SND of Ipswich, her late sister Catherine Muirhead and her late husband Donald, and her brother James S. Doyle and late wife Ann, of Gaithersburg Maryland.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the caregivers at Harbor Point Assisted Living and the Broad Reach Hospice team for their kindness and compassionate care during Anne's final year of life.
Arrangements are private and under the care of DeVito Funeral Home. Please visit devitofuneralhomes.com to view an online guestbook.
Donations in Anne’s memory may be made to the Arlington Food Pantry (https://www.arlingtoneats.org/) or to Rosie's Place (www.rosiesplace.org).