Agnes Katherine Carney

Agnes Katherine Maloney Carney died on February 8, 2021. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Carney, Jr., parents, and seven siblings. She is survived by her children Edward Carney III (Melinda), Thomas Carney (Leslie), Kevin Carney (Deb), and Mary Carney (Jon), as well as her grandchildren Andrew, Emma, Katie, Nora, and June. She had a special place in her heart for the members of her extended family including the Maloneys, Murphys, and Marchessaults, along with her many friends and the friends of her children.

Agnes married Ed, Jr. (Special Agent, F.B.I.) in 1955 when they were in their mid-30’s, late in life for their generation. Still, being good Catholics, they quickly produced three sons and a daughter. Their kids were the center of their world and grew up knowing they were loved and admired, whether they deserved it or not. That love was at the center of a happy home they created together, first in Dearborn, Michigan, then in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they were transferred in the 1960s. They remained in New Orleans until they retired to Stuart, Florida. Agnes returned to New Orleans in 2010.

Laughter came easily to Agnes who grew up in a closely-knit Irish-American family and community. She passed down this legacy to her children, along with a love of stories, classic movies, literature, and a good dinner out. Agnes loved taking each of her four children, in turns, to see old movies like Pat and Mike, The Philadelphia Story, and many more at the Carrollton Cinema. She rarely chose sad movies, preferring movies with fun, hope, and joy. There was something like the ebullience of a young woman in Agnes that remained with her until her final days. She possessed a wisdom and calm in times of crises and was often sought out for advice by friends and neighbors. It was in these challenging moments when she was her truest self: clear sighted, wise, and loving. Her deep spirituality and faith in the Catholic Church sustained her. She prayed daily, even into her last hours. Prayer gave her comfort as she gave comfort to others. Her deep Catholic faith was a guiding light, and her warm-hearted humanism added dimension to her loving nature.

Agnes loved a good story. She told wonderful stories of growing up with her six brothers and her beloved sister, Vange. There were stories of her mother Katie, who had come over from Ireland as a “substitute” for a family member who at the last minute could not make the journey. There were stories of nights when Katie would put a cold chicken out on the table and her children, their friends, and Irish neighbors would gather for impromptu music sessions and great kitchen conversations that would go through the night. Later, Agnes’s home became a second home to her children’s friends and the place where neighbors would go for calm advice in moments of crises. It was never quiet in Agnes’s house, and here her own family stories were made. She loved to tell of sending her husband out to the store for milk only to have him return two hours later with a brand-new camper in tow and no milk. At first, understandably not pleased, Agnes became an enthusiastic camper along with the rest of her family. No one remembers if she ever sent her husband out for milk again. These stories, told many times through the years, will live on.

She spent her final years at Chateau Notre Dame in New Orleans. We are grateful to its wonderful staff for the excellent care they gave our mother and the community of residents for their friendship. A private family memorial gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chateau Notre Dame at https://notredamehealth.org/chateau-notre-dame/.