Dear Luisita,
              You are in my heart always. I know you’re in Paradise, together with Ma, Wita, and Pa. Love you forever dear older sister.
                   

I am thinking of you, divine sister, on your second anniversary in Paradise😔❤️

Dearest Maria,
      Your lunch buddy, subway traveler (lol), colleague and dear friend misses you very much each and every day.  I know you are in heaven looking down on all your loved ones.  Your faith, strength, warmth and generosity are your legacy to all of us.
      My memories of you sustain me!  Along with my mom and dad, I look to you as you were the kindest soul to me.

       Love, 
        Mike

PS  Please give Schatzie a kiss for me.................

Maria (Luisita) was my older sister. I am her “baby brother”, and from my birth to adult life,  she always treated me as her “baby brother.”  The second anniversary of her departure to Paradise is approaching.        My beloved sister Luisita had become too good for this earth, and  OUR CREATOR had finally decided that she deserved to be in Eternal Paradise,  where she is happily re-united with Our Parents and Our Grandmother, for all blessed Eternity.  
     It would have broken her heart to see what would become of her beloved New York City, due to the COVID.  But she will never have to worry about any of these things…or any sickness, or any death.  She is in eternal bliss and peace.
        I love my precious sister so much. And all l pray for is that OUR HEAVENLY CREATOR will guide me to live in such a way that, when it’s my turn to cross over from this transcendental existence into the REAL LIFE,  l will have become worthy to be at my sister’s side again. I love you so much Luisita ♥️😪 
             Your baby brother 
               Fernando

I went to public school, but did CCD on Wednesdays and Sr. Maria was one of my teachers.  I would often visit the convent on Saturdays just to chat with her and sr. Leticia.  On one Saturday morning I remember telling her I wanted to be a nun like her... She told me, I would grow up and marry and maybe have a family, unless God told me otherwise.  She said I could love God and not be a nun... SHE WAS RIGHT! I am married 30 years and I serve God, and love Him... I wish I could have seen her and told her, how I NEVER forgot the time she spent with me and showed me love.  She was an AMAZING person. 

I had her as a teacher in 5th grade at St. Clare’s School in the Bronx. I was graduated in June 1985. Maria always had a great smile and wonderful sense of humor. She was really great with all of the students—one of best teachers there during my tenure at the school. 

May she rest in peace! 🙏🏻 

My heart is so sad today.  I have searched and searched for my beloved favorite Teacher of all time, Sr. Maria from St. Clare's.  Her name was so fitting since she always reminded me of a Puerto Rican Maria Van Trap.  She would have a way of standing with her hand on her hip that we knew that she was surprised about what we were doing as a class.  Her smile was infectious and her music was always in my heart.  I never played my instruments in front of other students, until she put a tambourine in my hand and told me to follow her singing with percussion.  I came alive that day and I knew that if Sr. Maria believed in me, then I must be someone special.  I felt many times like a lone-wolf being Hispanic is a school with so few of us, but Sr. Maria made me feel included, loved, and equal.  She was my hero.  Nothing could ever make me feel less than anymore.  She would often speak to me in Spanish, like if we had a special "secret" language.   I had my best grades with her, and she was proud of me.  I never went back to not trying, to feeling less than, to be ashamed of who I was.  I was a proud Latina because she was.  I have often looked for her to tell her what she meant to me.  I pray that in heaven she can hear and see what she meant to so many.  

My deepest condolences to her family.  It warms my heart to know that she went on to have an amazing life for such an amazing woman.  

Hello.  I graduated from St. Clare's of Assisi school in the Bronx in 1982.  I had Sr. Maria as my 4th grade teacher.  Just the other day, a group of alumni were discussing Maria in our Facebook group and wonder what had happened to her.  Someone posted that she passed away and my search brought me here.  The minute I saw her more recent photos, I knew it was her.  That smile...so genuine and full of life and happiness.  Everyone at St. Clare's loved her as a teacher, playing her guitar and smiling.  I was sad to hear she had left our school and the order, and sadder now to know she passed so young.  At the same time, I am happy to know she had a great life and spread her love and joy and that smile to others.  Rest in Peace, Sr. Maria...You are and always will be remembered with love.

As a student at St. Joseph's in Yonkers I would look forward to any moment of free time she would have to play her guitar and make us laugh. . 

May God bless her soul and comfort the hearts of her family as they mourn. 

From Carla Sousa St. Joseph, Class of 1991. Maria was a wonderful human being with the greatest smile...  she will be missed dearly❤️

Someone as special as Maria Sanabria-Kenny will never be forgotten. She will remain in my  heart forever. Maria was my 6th grade schoolteacher and became my Confirmation Godmother. I had the pleasure to share quality time with her @ the Dr. Oz show on April 10, 2019. I can’t dream of seeing you in the next couple months because where you are now is too far away. And my hardest reality is that they will never come again. You never stopped telling me how proud you were of me for following my dreams and being fearless. Little did you know that it was your strength that motivated me to be strong. I wish I could have explained you that you were my Hero. Although you've been told, I genuinely hope you know how special you are. I will never say this in past tense because your soul will live on in the hearts of everyone who loves you RIP.🙏💔🙏

Maria was and will remain in my heart always.  She was so kind and generous in so many ways.  I loved her famous "Mary Poppins" bag from which she always had so many goodies to share with everyone.  Maria was a fine colleague at Cathedral High School and her students in language and social studies were very fond of her.  When Maria was retiring in June of 2017, she took me (a vowed suburbanite) on the NYC transit system, both bus and subway, to Little Italy in lower Manhattan.  We had pastry and coffee on one day and the next we had a beautiful lunch at a restaurant right across the street from Our Lady of Pompei.  We were joined by Martha, a truly wonderful colleague, who wound up paying the entire bill.  What a glorious surprise! The last day of school, Maria and I, went to breakfast.  I never had such three memorable days in my life as I had with Maria.  Before she left school on the last day she gave me her pencil/pen case with multiple pens and pencils and an old, reliable stapler, the kind they don't make anymore.  I treasure these items!  God bless you Maria for touching my life in a way I will never forget!

Maria was a genuine person.  I could always count on her to be honest in the most loving and kind way.  She was so good to me and my sons - a great friend! She always had a smile that would fill up the room, always positive.  At school we joked about her “Mary Poppins bag” - she would always pull out a treat to share.  We had some good times at Cathedral - I will never forget those moments.  Rest in peace, my dear.  God awaits you with open arms.  We will miss you but heaven just got a whole lot better with you there. 🙏🏼❤️


Maria was the love of my life. Everyday was a new adventure with her. She lived life to the fullest everyday. She also saw the glass as half full and never half  empty. I am glad God made Maria to spend my life with. Maria touched my life and my families life in so many ways. Maria made me a better person. 

I HAVE ALREADY INCLUDED MY MESSAGE - I ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING MEMORIES.  MARIA AND I TAUGHT TOGETHER IN ST. JOSEPH'S - I PUT OUT HER PASSING ON FACEBOOK, AND SEVERAL OF THE STUDENTS WROTE ON THE PAGE - WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR MEMORIES?   I KNOW IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO HER FAMILY.   COULD YOU JUST SAY THESE ARE STUDENTS FROM ST. JOSEPH'S IN YONKERS.  THANK YOU.


Geoffrey Danisher  Sr. Maria was a wonderful teacher and the songs she taught us are forever recorded in my memory. RIP "Sr" Maria

Lisa Michelle Wright I will never forget the impact she made on my life as a teacher and mentor. My prayers are with her family. 

Michelle Roche  Maria was such a wonderful woman and teacher and all of us who were lucky enough to be in her presence will never forget her or the impact she had on all our lives. May she RIP and she will forever be in our hearts!!

Ricky Santana My condolences and my heart goes out to Maria and her family. I have very fond memories of her as my teacher and a beautiful person

Mary Medina-Orellana There is no way I can ever forget the impact Maria made on my life as a as teacher and mentor. How I wish my children would have had the honor of being her students! My mom and I always think of Ms. Sanabria at St. Joseph’s Christmas shows. May she rest in peace.

Freddie Bartley Maria was a great teacher with a heart of gold and compassion. I remember when she taught me about the castanets for a school play. Heaven has a new musical angel!!!

Mike DelGiudice  I still talk about Maria as she is my favorite teacher of all time. I still refer to her as Sr Maria and as a kid in the fifth grade I actually thought she might be Jesus because she always had so many stories to tell us and they were like parables to teach us a lesson. I remember Sr Kathleen asking her if she can walk on water because she had the entire “cool” eight grade class singing church songs. Heaven has definitely gained an angel and she will definitely be missed. 


As I look back on my sister's life I have so many memories it is hard to take just one. A good sister, a vibrant woman, tough as nails, a loving aunt, a great cook... she was always my sister, even when she had a habit on.  Always a city girl she visited me a couple of months ago in my home in Georgia and we went to eat some catfish and visited a local peach farm. Upon arriving, the first thing she tells me is "you are allergic to peaches and pecans what are you doing in Georgia!" Not to mention "I hope you have electricity and running water... you are living in the boondocks!"  That was my sister. A nut for infomercial gadgets I believe she had everyone of them often giving them to me as presents and explaining the many uses of a glove (one that washed dishes was a massager etc...(lol)) She loved her students. At one time I visited her when she was a Principal and laughed at her antics with the kids. Always one to remind everyone  how she was 10 years older than me when people would ask if we were twins (lol)... Even when we didn't see eye to eye we were sisters. Luisita, I feel honored and privileged to have been with you these last months. I know you are in God's hands and having a ball! To Greg my condolences. I pray God gives you peace.

My deepest sympathies to Maria's family and friends and all those who loved her.  Maria was always a person with so much energy and passion.  She celebrated life and everyone who knew her felt it.   She was always so much fun to be around.  She was playful and my daughter adored her when she was little.   Maria had such a beautiful voice and we were so blessed to have her sing  Ave Maria for our mother.  Her memory will live on.  May she rest in peace.



Maria was a wonderful role model and motivator for many of us at St. Joseph’s School in Yonkers. I loved how she brought the mass to life with joyful, modern versions of  hymns  played on her guitar . I recall being amazed that she wanted to use maracas for Mass and I asked why.   Maria said, “ Mass  should be a celebration filled with the Holy Spirit so sing like you are celebrating ! “  I hope that you were greeted with music, maracas  and the Holy Spirit ! Thank you for all you did for our school and the Ashburton Ave community! 

Greg, I am so sorry for your loss. Maria was a wonderful woman.   I hope you feel  some comfort from the time you had together and the wonderful memories you made together.  One of my favorite memories is of her grilling and cooking everything in your fridge and freezer the night of the black out in the dark in your  backyard after Sue and I caught up with you walking home from work instead of to your anniversary dinner at the River Cafe.  My deepest sympathies.   Keri 

Maria, thank you for blessing the world with your presence.  I cannot believe that we have known each other for over 40 years! 
 We certainly shared so many great times! Although we didn't always see eye to eye - true friendship will always withstand the years!  I will always be grateful to you for pushing me to go back to college, get my degree in teaching and my masters in Religious Studies - you were the force behind that! I became a teacher because you saw something in me that I didn't - that was truly one of your many gifts - seeing what others didn't - and then motivating and encouraging all those you encountered. THANK YOU! Thank you for your joy, your laughter and good times.  Keep the good times rolling - keep the karaoke machine plugged in - and continue to rock and roll in heaven!  You will always hold a special place in my heart! Rest in peace my dear friend!  

It was so amazing having Mrs.Kenny as a teacher at Cathedral. No matter what day I had going into her class and hearing her voice and jokes would make it all okay. She prepared me for college but also taught me how to express Myself and my opinions effectively and politely. I’m so sorry to hear about her passing and I wish for peace for her family.

OBITUARY

Maria Sanabria-Kenny

24 August, 1951 – 13 August, 2019

Joseph G. Duffy

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