Shirley A (Colford) Kenney

Shirley A. (Colford, Bickford) Kenney, 82 of Berlin and Hudson, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at River Terrace in Lancaster, surrounded by her loving family after a long fight with Alzheimer’s. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 37 years, George A. Kenney, Jr.

Shirley, the daughter of the late Benedict and Alexina (Hallé) Colford, was born in and raised in Waterville, ME, where she graduated from high school as a stand out basketball player. She later attended Worcester State College, where she earned her Associate’s degree in liberal arts. Shirley worked on the Apollo Space Craft at Raytheon and at Incoterm and HP for many years.

Shirley’s life was all about her family, faith and fun. She was a devout Catholic and member of Saint Joseph the Good Provider Church and regular volunteer at Our Father’s Table and the Mustard Seed. Shirley lived her faith through her deeds and love for others. She enjoyed traveling with George in their mobile home, especially to the Cape and Maine. Shirley, known as Nana, loved her S’mores with the kids as well as ice cream, puzzles, music and scrabble.

In addition to her husband George, she was also survived by her children, Cynthia J. Murphy and her husband, Daniel of Hudson, Cheryl Bickford of WI and Timothy J. Bickford and his wife Tracie of Vermont; her four stepchildren, Colleen M. Rabaut and her husband Chris of Detroit, MI, George A, Kenney, III of Littleton, Robert B. Kenney and his wife Jane of Clinton, Daniel J. Kenney and Denise of Jackman, ME; her siblings, Donald Colford of Dover, NH Benedict Colford of Poland, ME and Julie Rose Colford of Hawaii; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Carol Delle Chiaie and her husband Ronald of Florida and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her son David J. Bickford and two sisters, Jeannine Brundage and Diane Deer.

Calling hours will be held from 5-7pm on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at TIGHE HAMILTON REGIONAL FUNERAL HOME, 50 Central St. Hudson, MA.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 24, 2017 at Saint Joseph, The Good Provider Church in Berlin, 52 West St, Berlin, MA 01503. Burial will follow at Forestvale cemetery.

Shirley believed in the importance of life, from conception to natural death. In lieu of flowers she can be honored by a donation to Birthright of Hudson/Marlborough, 277 Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752 http://birthright.org/en/or Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011: www.alz.org.