Sr. Irene Kennett, 89, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam, CT. She had been a resident at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam since 1984.
Sr. Irene was born on December 6, 1916 in Putnam, CT, the daughter of the late Marcel and Emma (Auclair) Kennett. She entered religious life in 1936 and made her religious profession at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France, on August 23, 1939. She was then known as Sr. Marguerite Emma.
She earned a B.A. degree from Diocesan Sisters’ College, Woodstock, CT and an MS in Library Science from Southern CT State University in New Haven, CT; and an MA degree from Fairfield, University , Fairfield, CT.
In 1939 her first assignment was at Ploermel, France, where she served as a secretary and a nurses’ aide. Sr. Irene became an internee in Vittel, France from 1942-1944. Upon her return from France, she served at St. John’s Nursery, Fall River, MA and later taught at St. Francis Fitchburg, MA, St. Anne’s Hartford, CT and St. Mary’s, Putnam, CT. From 1965 to 1969, she was archivist for the United States Province of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. From 1969 to 1984 she was librarian in various localities: St. Bernard High School, New London, CT; Cathedral High School, Bridgeport, CT; Annhurst College, Woodstock, CT; Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg, MA and Marianhill High School, Southbridge, MA. She served as semi-retired librarian at Holy Spirit Provincial House until her death.
Survivors include two sisters, Mae Morton of Spotsylvania , VA and Mary Carbone of Houston, TX., several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Calling hours at the Provincial House Chapel wil be on Thursday January 26, 2006, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:15 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday January 27 at 2:00 PM at the Provincial House Chapel followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT is in charge of arrangements.
Leave Your Condolence