Dorothy Agnes Hennessy, age 89, of Houston, Texas passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Dorothy was born on October 22, 1933 in Houston to Maybelle George McKeon and Charles H. McKeon and was the youngest of five children. Born as a preemie (2lbs. 3ozs.), her future seemed uncertain. However, she revealed her indomitable spirit by living to within 3 weeks of her 90th birthday.
She lived deep in her Catholic faith and received her early education first at Blessed Sacrament and later finished at St. Agnes Academy in Houston. She met her husband John J. Hennessy through the Rosarian Club at Holy Name Parish, and they married in 1955.
As a young wife and mother of 6 children, she started out as a homemaker caring for her family but eventually joined the workforce and began a long career in the medical profession as a skilled insurance billing clerk. In 1978 her husband died unexpectedly, and she remained a widow for the rest of her life. Once the remaining 2 children finished school and left home, she moved to Uvalde, Texas to be closer to her mother and oldest sister.
Her children settled in the Houston and Dallas areas and over time as they began to marry and have children, she wanted to be closer to them. She applied for positions in both cities trusting the Lord to decide where she would go. After accepting an offer in the Dallas area, she lived there and later in Denton, Texas for many years.
Due to her declining health, her last 3 1/2 years were spent at a Skilled Nursing facility in Houston near her oldest daughter and husband. There she made many friends and was loved and cherished by both residents and staff.
During her entire lifetime she remained rooted in her Catholic faith. Through the years she joined and participated in various parish groups and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She had a passion for books and was an avid reader.
She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her husband and son Jeffrey Hennessy. She is survived by her son John M. Hennessy and wife Norma of Plano, daughter Janice Hennessy Bruce and husband Robert of Houston, son Kevin Hennessy and wife Michelle of Arlington, daughter Lisa Hennessy Benefield and husband David of Tyler, and daughter Patricia Hennessy of Plano. She has 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A visitation for Dorothy will be held Monday, October 9, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. A committal service will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Hennessy family.
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