Anne Kenna

Anne Lee Kenna (née Hollinger) was wife, partner, and best friend to the Very Reverend James Duncan Kenna until his demise just 4 days prior to their 51st wedding anniversary in 2009. Together they created and raised 4 children who consider themselves lucky to be part of their family. Anne (Nancy to her family) was born in Philadelphia, PA and was raised in Trenton, NJ along with her brother Charles Elwood Hollinger by their parents Henry Kline Hollinger and Dorothy Allen Hollinger.

Anne attended St. Mary’s Hall where she received an excellent education, enjoyed dance club, and attended a few Annapolis Naval Academy weekend dances as a Midshipman’s date (or “drag”). Anne went on to study nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. During her nursing career she worked as both OR and ER charge nurse in several hospitals throughout southern New Jersey and southern Florida where she helped to heal hundreds of patients. Each and every one of Anne’s patients knew they were in good hands because she was a calming presence who truly cared.

After moving to Austin Texas in 1979, Anne commuted to UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas to become a Nurse Practitioner where she elevated her nursing practice and applied her skills to a cause she cared about deeply - family planning. She provided counsel and guidance through offices with Planned Parenthood in both East and South Austin. She made a great difference in so many lives.

In addition to her nursing skills, Anne was a very talented textile and home decor artist. Very few home objects were unadorned by her own hands. She enjoyed working with color, texture, fabric, and paint to enhance plain decor into something unique. Anne knitted hundreds of newborn hats for St. David’s Hospital in Austin and blankets for burn victims at the Fisher House in the Brooke Army Medical Center at San Antonio. Anne was also a volunteer for both the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Anne is survived by her brother Charles Hollinger (Donna), her children, Siobhan Kenna, Gabhan Kenna (Maureen), Fiona Schlachter (Stephen), and Eoin Kenna (Suzzy), her niece Michelle Scott, and her grandchildren Andrew Kenna, Patrick Kenna, and Maryanne Kenna. They all miss her terribly already and are thankful to have been a part of her life. We love you Mom and Nana.

In lieu of flowers, Anne requests that her friends and family consider a gift to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

A Trisagion Service will be held at St. Elias Orthodox Church (408 East 11th St, Austin) at 6:30pm on Sunday June 17th and a reception will follow in the church hall at 7:00pm. The funeral will be held on Monday June 18th at 10:00am at St. Elias.