Kathleen M. Hennessy

Kathleen M. Hennessy (née Robinson) passed away peacefully at home on October 16, 2021, at the age 64 after a courageous 14 year battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Kathy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mary and Kingston Robinson, the 5th of 6 girls - Mary Jo (Lenny) Miragliuolo, Gerri (Rick) Stanton, Karalyn (Fred) Dunphy, Michelle (Bob) Hafer, and Terri (Joe) Atkinson. The family moved to the Buckingham Park area of Willingboro, NJ in 1959 where she spent her childhood and adolescent years. She had a very close group of friends, The Barker Crew, from childhood, especially her best friend Ann Sumption Park, whom she remained close with until death. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1975. She met her husband Dan at an Irish mic night in 1976, it was love at first sight. The two were married in June of 1981. They lived in Roebling, NJ where they had two sons Danny (Lisa), and Patrick. The family moved to Lumberton, NJ in 1989 where Kathy resided until her passing. Kathy worked in a clerical position for a period of time at McGuire Air Force Base and at Deloitte Touche, and then worked evenings at Brennan Transportation so that she could be home with her young sons during the day. She later worked as a legal secretary for a Law Office in Moorestown, NJ for several years where she excelled at her position “keeping the office running” professionally even without formal training. Kathy was known for her speed and precision as a typist and for creating lasting relationships with clientele. Kathy was an amazing cook, feeding her three hungry boys daily and putting on amazing spreads for big holiday gatherings and parties. However, her greatest passion in the kitchen was baking. She loved to make holiday cookies which she exchanged with friends and family, baked goods for school fundraisers, scone (Irish soda bread) for holidays, cakes for the boys birthdays, and her specialties Jewish Apple Cake and Peanut Butter Tandycakes. Kathy was also very artistic, finding joy in creating many different types of crafts over the years which still adorn the walls at their home. Kathy was a lover of music, often attending concerts with her husband Dan. Her all-time favorite artist was Jackson Browne, whose albums were always loaded up in her CD player. She also enjoyed dancing and singing along at Bruce Springsteen shows and local live acts at nearby bars and down the shore. Kathy was a supportive and loving sister to each of her five sisters. She truly loved them all and enjoyed various outings and vacations with them throughout her lifetime. She will be remembered for her exuberant laughter, whether on long and meaningful phone conversations from the kitchen with her sisters, or at gatherings with family and friends. Her greatest role was that of a Mom. She did everything in her power to make sure her boys had a great life. When a new activity was discovered such as hockey, skateboarding, trading cards, comic books, etc. Kathy embraced their passion with open arms to accommodate their interests. She excelled as a sports mom, specifically a “Hockey Mom” over the years taking the boys wherever they needed to go to play the sport they loved and didn’t miss a game from the bleachers. In addition to being a Mom, she loved her nieces and nephews and was the loving “Aunt Kath” to Lenny, Donna, Fred (Gina), Kath (Tony), Jeanine, Alicia (Clint), Amanda (Carlos), Jessica (Tyler), Katie (Ken), Patty (Ethan), Lisa (Matt), Joe, Bridgid, Kieran, Kelsey, Eileen, Bryan (Katie), Jamie (Jocelyn), Trey, Shannon (Steven), Rosie (Randy), Maura (Justin) and all of their children. Kathy’s wish came true when she became a grandmother in 2018 with the birth of her grandson Danny. Even though she was dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s at the time, her expression of joy when she saw him was amazing. The two shared a special connection and she was also able to spend some equally special moments with her grandson Frank, born six weeks before she passed in 2021. Kathy enjoyed vacationing with her family annually in Sea Isle City, NJ. The annual trip with the Hafer family was always the perfect family vacation thanks to her dedicated planning. She also enjoyed several trips to the Caribbean, Florida, California and Ireland over the years with her Husband Dan and her sisters and their spouses. Later in Kathy’s life she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s which she courageously battled for 14 years, outliving the doctor’s life expectancy in a large part due to her strength and the selfless care and compassion of her husband and caregiver Dan, dear friend Ali, sons, friends, family and neighbors, along with home health care and support from Tina and Joan at Bayada, and Samaritan hospice nurses and staff. Though hampered by the disease she was still able to express her strong-willed emotions at times, remain walking on her own until just months before she passed, and light up with a smile at the sight of her sons and grandsons and dear husband always at her side. While that period of her life can’t be forgotten we hope everyone can remember Kathy for the vibrant, perfectly put together, beautiful woman she was the majority of her life. We know that’s the way she wanted to be remembered by all those she loved. Relatives and friends are invited to Kathy’s Celebration of Life on Thursday, October 21 from 6pm to 8pm at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 22 at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St., Mt. Holly. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to #StanStrong for the Fight Against Brain Cancer. https://gofund.me/ae81bb2e

Kathleen M. Hennessy

November 19, 1956 - October 16, 2021