Kenney, Sharon Baas
Sharon Baas Kenney, age 80, peacefully passed away at home on July 21, 2020, with her family by her side. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Frederick (Fritz) L. and Lucille Elliott Baas, her brothers John and Donald
Baas, sister Sally Ann
Bickley, sister-in-law Marie
Baas and former motherin-law Marie Kenney. Her brother Frederick (Fritz)
Baas passed away several months after Sharon. She will be greatly missed by friends and family, including surviving children,
Sean Kenney (and Paulette
Racine), Courtney Kenney (and Colette Demeusy); her beloved grandchildren,
Caitlyn, Jack, and Charlotte; her adored sisters, Claire (Wendell) Kessler and Carol
Baas (and Jim Clark); her sisters-in-law, Arey Baas and Ruth Baas; her former husband, Bill Kenney; her long-time partner, Joe
Grassia; and many nieces and nephews. Sharon had a passionate love of the arts, sports, politics, food and family that were embraced in her youth and extended throughout her life. Her artistic drive manifest early in homecoming floats, basement murals, and avid sketches, ultimately becoming a part of her repertoire as an educator. During her years at Bexley High School (‘57)
Sharon’s participation with her barbershop quartet,
The Melodettes, instilled a love of singing that continued beyond college when she joined the nationwide group, Sweet Adelines. She loved popular singer-songwriters like Peter Paul &
Mary, James Taylor, and
The Beatles, and was an avid fan of musicals including Meet Me in St Louis,
Hello Dolly, Evita, and most recently, Hamilton. Sharon was well known for singing throughout the day, often enthusiastically, with or without accompaniment or encouragement. The familiarity and comfort of having music ever present at home was innately passed to her children and grandchildren. After graduating from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in
Education, Sharon taught at Beck Street School in
Columbus, in Virginia, and at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Once married, she and her young family lived in the UK and spent time traveling through Europe and abroad, eventually settling on Cape Cod to raise their family. Sharon
worked at schools in
Dennis and Cambridge,
MA, teaching and creating educational and cultural programs for children and seniors in the community.
She was well known for integrating her art into all of her lessons, promotional materials, programs, and activities, as well as for her deep commitment to the well-being and education of the children. When her children were in college,
Sharon earned a master’s degree in Fine Arts from
Lesley University and exuberantly shared her love of art through family trips to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. With a fervor for feminism and politics,
Sharon took her first steps into civic life by volunteering for John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1960. Never one to sit idly by, Sharon could still be seen in her 70’s making calls and putting up yard signs to support Barack
Obama’s presidential campaigns in NH. Her one regret was that she passed away before she could celebrate the end of Donald
Trump’s presidency, but we know that she is resting peacefully now. Sharon’s fondness for oysters was legendary, and her appreciation for good food and drink was passed down to the whole family. She would often discuss how different flavors complemented each other, drawing upon her many experiences sampling different cuisines when abroad. Sharon could always hold up her end of a conversation – and frequently part of your end.
Her favorite topics aligned with her interests and her stream-of-consciousness style was delivered with vigor and humor. Sharon had an inimitable sense of style that incorporated a wonderful collection of hats, jewelry, and clothes into a look all her own.
When age forced an aid to help steady her gait, she refused the standard cane in favor of a tall, natural wood walking staff that always drew compliments.
Raised Episcopalian, then embracing Catholicism in marriage, Sharon was blessed in her final years to be comforted and joyfully engaged in a supportive community at the idyllic church of St. Peter’s Episcopal
in Dartmouth, MA. We will greatly miss Sharon’s indomitable spirit for life, her unending commitment and encouragement to keep learning, and her unwavering determination to continue forward in spite of any obstacle. If you are so inclined, memorial donations may be made in
Sharon’s name to either:
Indivisible, by sending a check to “Indivisible Projects”
at P.O. Box 43884,
Washington, DC 20010 or online at: https://secure. actblue.com/donate/indivisibleproject-honor-memory OR to St. Peter’s Episcopal
Church by sending at check to: Rev. Scott Ciosek, 351 Elm St, Dartmouth, MA 02748 or online at: http:// onrealm.org/stpetersepiscop11401/give. A memorial service will be held at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in
Dennis, MA on Saturday,