Freda M. Kenna

Freda Mable (Hayes) Kenna, 91, of Southington, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at her home. She was the wife of the late George Kenna Jr.

She was born in Birmingham, England, on Oct. 7, 1916, the daughter of the late John and Mable (Thornton) Hayes. She emigrated from England to the United States in 1921 and was raised in Rhode Island with her mother, grandmother, aunt and brother. She had married George in 1941 and lived with him until his death in 1997. She was a past president of Connecticut Orchid Society, Buena Vista Garden Club, and Cape & Islands Orchid. She was a certified master gardener through the Hartford Agricultural Extension Service. A lover of music, for many years she was a member of the Greater Hartford Community Chorus and more recently, the Saints and Singers of Cape Cod, and the Sippican Chorale Society. In her mid 60's, she earned an associate's degree in fine arts from the Greater Hartford Community College. She enjoyed painting, gardening, fishing and baking.

She is survived by five daughters and a son, Sydney Kenna and Noelle K. Flanders, both of Plainville; Stephen Kenna and his wife, Judy, of South Plymouth, Mass.; Robin C. Kenna and her partner, Lisa Rommel, of Southington; Victoria L. Kenna, of Meriden; and Hillary K. Allen and her husband, Edward, of Florida; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Hayes, of Apponague, R.I.; along with several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a very close friend and caregiver, Joan Richmond, of Middletown. She was predeceased by a brother, John Hayes.

Services were held April 5 at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, Southington. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be made in her memory to either: The Franciscan Hospice Program, 267 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451 or The Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 224523, Dallas, TX. 75225-4523.