Mary Kenney

When we celebrated Thanksgiving at my grandparent's house, my grandmother would invite extended family to join us. When they lived in their house on Meadowlark Road, in Rye Brook, I remember several tables joined together and many family members and friends (a few nuns).  Beluks of several generations (Reet and Frank and occasionally "the boys" were often in attendance as was my grandfather's mother, Mary Kenney McCarthy (1886-1882) who we called "Nana."  

A frequent guest, at both the Meadowlark and later the house in Greenwich- with a lovely two story family room which had a balcony from the second floor where we could "watch" the adults after being sent to bed, was Mary Kenney.  I remember her very clearly, sitting quietly and watching the party; she was always very kind and pleasant. In all the times I saw her, I never thought to ask her about herself.  What I knew, she was Nana's sister in law. That was it. 

I wish that I had asked Mary Kenney more about her life, she, like Anne Hoey, was from County Mayo.  She, like Anne Hoey, came to America and worked as a maid. Mary Kenney was yet another pioneering woman in my family orbit - another "Bridget" whose life was certainly full of risk and brave decisions, hard work, and loyalty to family. 

My first clue about Mary Kenney was her sister's obituary in Port Chester's Daily Item -  22 April 1960 announcing the passing of Bridget Agnes Rosic.  

The notice lists her sister - Mrs. Marin Kenney of Stamford 

Further, it gives names of parents James and Catherine Boyle Comer of County Mayo, Ireland and lists two brothers.  

I dug in... with the knowledge now that Mary Kenney was formerly Mary Comer of County Mayo Ireland. 

    

I found a birth record for Mary Comer, the parents and County match the information in her sister's death notice.  

Mary Kenney was born 17 March 1897 to James and Catherine O'Boyle in Carracastle, Balina district of County Mayo.

I wanted to see what further information I could find about the Comer family in County Mayo.  I did find a record Mary's parents marriage -  a year before Mary's birth; it appears that James' had been married before and upon marrying Catherine, he moved to her village. 

James Comer married Catherine O'Boyle on 24 February 1896 at the Bohola Chapel. 

Mary Comer left Ireland and came to America; she traveled alone on the ship Samaria - with $50.00 to her name. She listed her father, James, as her point of contact and her final destination in America as Rye, New York.  Mary landed in New York (Ellis Island) 27 September 1926.

The next record of Mary Kenney list her as a servant in a the home of Archibald Forest, on Old Post Road - in the 1925 New York State Census.  

Mary is listed as a cook - and this jingled a memory of my grandmother telling me that Mary Kenney was a very good cook in her day. 

In 1925, Mary was working as a maid in the home of Archibald Forest, on Old Post Road, in Rye, New York.  Archibald was the first vice president of Remington Typewriter Company; he and his wife Helen (Benedict) raised their family (one girl and two boys) in Rye where the family was engaged in many social and philanthropic activities. 

To date, i have not found Mary's immigration records - but it is tantalizing to realize that she, like Anne Hoey, made that journey - seemingly alone. 

At some point, Mary and Martin meet.  Next is my favorite "find" was an article about a Legionnaire party held in March of 1935.  Attendees listed included a Mary Comer,  Martin Kenney, Grace McCarthy (my grandfather's sister) and Mrs. Daniel Sullivan (formerly Katherine Kenney- my grandfather's cousin.) Martin Kenney was Grace and Katherine's uncle.   It is possible that this evening was a date, between Martin and Mary or perhaps where they met! 

Mary Comer married Martin Francis Kenney 25 June 1935.  Her sister, Agnes (Bridget Agnes Comer) was her sole attendant, and my grandfather, Daniel Patrick McCarthy was best man.  The wedding was at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye.  Martin is listed as residing North Street- he was living there with my grandfather's family.

I will defer to my mom and aunt, but I think that for my grandfather, who had lived with his Uncle Martin as a young boy (Martin and his mother Catherine are shown living with the Patrick McCarthy family in the 1930 U.S. Census) being his best man was a meaningful experience.  I believe he would have taken the role seriously and would have been happy for his Uncle.  

I further think that because Mary was part of our family events, over 40 years later, is a further indicator that my grandfather took his role as best man seriously. 

After initially settling in Rye - in the Parochial School Apartments as listed in the wedding notice, the Kenney's moved to Stamford.  I find them in the 1950 U.S. Census and several City Directories.  Martin and Mary never had children. Martin passed away in 1965. 

Mar Kenney passed away 28 November 1981.  Her death notices list her home address as 873 Washington Street, in Stamford, CT.   

I remember her with great fondness. She was quiet but always present and very kind and gentle. I do hope her later years were ones of peace. 

I welcome any of you with memories of Mary (and even more importantly, photos? ) to share them with me.  I'd love to document further the totality of this women's life -- the second "Bridget" in our family tree - who bravely came to America and crafted a life for herself.