Christine "Chris" Kenney O'Rourke

Chris leaves behind her beloved husband of 31 years, Kevin F.X. O’Rourke; his children Katelin (Mike) Gorman and Kevin (Jenna) O’Rourke, all four of whom Chris loved dearly and they her; her joy – her “Grands” – Kevin James (KJ), Kali Beirn, and Keegan Bernard O’Rourke, and James Aiden Gorman; dear siblings Susan (Michael) Henry, David (Barbara) Kenney, and Maura (Greg) Rast; and scores of nieces and nephews, including Meagan (David) DeCairano, Wyatt Henry, Tyler (Stephanie), Molly, and Sam Rast, sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, and friends. Chris was born in November 1952 at Yonkers General Hospital to the late Loyola (Ryan) Kenney and David J. Kenney. She was a daughter-in-law of the late Dr. James F.X. O’Rourke, former Mayor of Yonkers.

A true daughter of Yonkers, Chris’ love for her hometown was deep and abundant. Chris attended Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools, and was a lifelong parishioner of the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart in Yonkers.

Chris earned her B.A. from Iona College in 1975, forgoing graduation day (by choice) so she could keep her first day commitment as a Programmer for IBM.

There was never a promise Chris did not keep.

And so Chris’ illustrious career began, 30 years as an IBM Executive, ultimately responsible for the company’s relationship with, and services provided to, the City of New York. While Chris earned accolades too numerous to mention, she was particularly proud of her work at Ground Zero at Central Command in the weeks following 9/11, and was recognized by the City of New York for it.

Post-IBM, Chris served as Deputy Executive Director of Procurement Services for the City of New York’s Financial Information Services Agency, retiring from Technology and Government in 2018.

But, Chris felt she still had more to do, and more to give. She devoted countless hours volunteering as a greeter and docent at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, serving as a Trustee of the Yonkers Historical Society, an Aide to the Grand Marshall of the 2018 Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade (and as its Communications Director), a member of the City of Yonkers’ Community Relations Board, and in numerous roles for the Amackassin Club.

Chris’ genuine interest in other people and ability to sense need and quietly respond are the reasons why she formed so many deep and lasting relationships. Her curiosity and appetite to learn and translate the learning into something real was special. From Culinary Institute of America classes at Hyde Park and executing meals for family and friends, to trips to the fabric and craft stores, she demonstrated her industrious ability to turn the ordinary into the remarkable (owning no less than 6 sewing machines). She loved adventure, whether kayaking on the Green River with her sisters and sisters-in-law in Utah, traveling cross-country by train to view The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 in Oregon, ziplining with her family at Skytop in Pennsylvania, or organizing one of the countless Bronx Zoo trips for her Grands through her ever-expansive membership. Chris never waited and lived now.

While her reach was far, Chris was steadfastly devoted to her family. She was thoughtful, kind, patient and humble, and is greatly, greatly missed.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart in Yonkers, where all who cared for Chris are most welcome to join.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Chris’ memory may be made to the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy online here. The O’Rourke and Kenney Families wish to express their heartful thanks for the outpouring of love and support received over the last few days; it has helped carry them.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whalenandballfh.com for the Kenney O'Rourke In lieu of flowers, donations in Chris’s memory may be made to the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, 945 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701, or online at https://www.untermyergardens.org/donate.html