KENNY Josephine M. "Jo" (nee Dillon)

Josephine M. “Jo” Kenny (nee Dillon) of Grand Falls-windsor and Badger Lake passed peacefully away on March 23, 2018. Left to mourn are children Josette (Vince) of Lake Winola, PA, Scott (Laurie) of Grand Falls-windsor, Jacqueline Connors (John) of Grand Falls-windsor, and Jennifer Malatesta of Toronto, Ontario; grandchildren Frank and Diane Abruzzini, Jonathon and Laura Malatesta, Desmond and Jack Kenny; brothers and sisters-in-law Gene Clinton, Austin Kenny (Anita), Brenda Carter (Herb), Ann Rowe (George), many nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends. Predeceased by her loving husband Desmond F. Kenny; her parents, Captain William and Mary Dillon of St. John’s; her siblings Frances Westcott Ford Clinton (Hugh, Merritt) of Port Ste. Lucie, Florida, Lorraine Kean (Edgar) of St. John’s, Patrick Dillon (Ethel) of Rochester, NY and Robert Dillon (Leona) of St. John’s; her parentsin-law Frances and Phoebe Kenny and their children Brendan, Gus and Sheila. The daughter of Captain Billy Dillon, Jo was born into a family of mariners and fulfilled her life-long dream of travelling to many corners of the world. She attended Holy Heart of Mary School in St. John’s where she also completed a business program. She worked briefly at Memorial University of Newfoundland and she later helped her husband grow two successful family businesses, Kenny Adjustment Bureau and Thruway Recreation. She served the Grand Falls-windsor community in the Canadian Cancer Society, was a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi, and served as secretary of the Kiwanis Music Festival for a number of years. Jo and her husband Des were true lakers. Family and friends have gathered at their Badger Lake cottage for 49 years. Jo loved to tell tall tales to support her optimistic view of life. Her rose-colored glasses made the good times better and made for memorable dinner parties. She had a personal style that enamored many. A touch of glitter, a fancy doily, a gourmet meal, or a stemmed glass – she always put in extra effort and looked her best. She was radiant inside and out. Her artistic talent will live on in her beautiful oil paintings. Nana, as her grandchildren called her, was active in the lives of all of her grandchildren, each of whom she adored. Her children all lived, loved and laughed with her, and built their lives around her wisdom. No matter where her siblings, close friends and loved ones lived, Jo celebrated the good times with them. The family received visitors at Central Funeral Home on Monday, March 26 with funeral services at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers were Jonathon Malatesta, Desmond Kenny, John Connors, Vince Abruzzini, Dr. Michael Cohen and Sean Kean. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Abruzzini and Jack Kenny. Donations may be made in her memory to The Autism Society of Newfoundland or to a charity of choice. This elegant lady will be missed by many. For condolences on line or to listen to the funeral service please visit www.centralfuneralhomes.ca.