Jean A. Fennessy

May 21, 1934- April 17. 2026

Jean Ann (Kavanagh) Fennessy 91, longtime resident of Auburn, passed away after a brief illness on Friday April 17, 2026, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. A time for family and friends to gather will be held on Friday April 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Farrell Funeral Service. Inc 84 South St. Auburn, with a funeral at St. Alphonsus Church on Saturday April 25 at 11:00am with an internment to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Jean was born in Auburn, NY, the daughter of the late Harold and Mary (Lambert) Kavanagh. She attended Holy Family School where she was a cheerleader. She was a member of the Class of 1952. She met her husband Donald (Butch) Fennessy and was married on Feb 23, 1957, at Holy Family Church. They then settled in Liverpool, NY and raised a family of four. In 1977 the family moved back to Auburn where she lived until her death.

Jean was a stay-at-home mother for several years before she received a degree at Regina Maria college and worked as an aide at St. Joseph’s Catholic grade school. After moving to Auburn, she worked for many years at Seymour Library where she made many friends. Jean was a great person of faith who lived it out every day by sharing her God given gifts and talents, especially her cheery demeanor with all around her.

She enjoyed crafting, crocheting, collecting and making jewelry, going to the casino, as well as camping and going to the Owasco Lake outlet to enjoy God’s beautiful creation and to talk with everyone, even strangers. She also liked to color religious coloring books. Jean’s family meant the world to her, those closest to her appreciated her humor and caring attitude. Her love for her grandchildren knew no bounds.

Jean is survived by her sister and best friend Kathleen Kavanagh, four children: Rev. James, Fennessy, Patricia (Douglas) Ille, William and Thomas Fennessy, Her grandchildren, Laura (Dan) Brown, Christopher (Megan) Ille, Jessica (Shane) Setlock, Matthew (Sierra) Ille, Karen (Jesse) Walters, 13 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Bruce Fennessy, sister-in-law Jean Carter and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Gerald and Michael, and her husband Donald Fennessy.

Jean’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Auburn Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department and ICU, that took such great care of her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association,320 Nevada St. Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460, American Heart Association PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or the charity of one’s choice.