Obituary of Kathryn Leigh Kenney

Kathryn Leigh Kenney formerly of 116 West Green Street, Olean, passed away on Wednesday March 7, 2012 in the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville Fl. Mrs. Kenney was born on December 25, 1924 in Olean, New York a daughter of the late Waverly Alexander and Carrie Wyche Leigh. The youngest of five children she graduated from Olean High School in 1943 and Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude in History in 1947. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Pan Hellenic Council. She was awarded a Fellowship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Master of Arts in History in 1948. She did post graduate Studies at the State University System at Fredonia, Genesco and Buffalo. She also studied at St. Bonaventure University. In 1949 Mrs. Kenney began her teaching career in Beaufort, South Carolina where she taught third grade at Robert Smalls School and English Literature at South Carolina State College. Returning to Olean in 1951 she became the first African-American Case Worker for the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Welfare. On August 15th of that year she married L. Lucien Kenney, who predeceased her on February 6, 1994. In 1956 Mrs. Kenney transferred to the County's child welfare department and worked as an adoption specialist until 1959 when she left to become a full-time homemaker. In 1966 she became Director of a five week Pilot Program for children with Learning Disabilities and for the next two years she was Director of the Olean Public Schools Head Start Program. Then in September 1968 she became the first African-American to teach full time in the Olean Public School System. She taught third grade at Hillside Elementary School and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1976. When the school closed in 1980, she taught third grade at Boardmanville Elementary School until she retired in 1984. Mrs. Kenney was a board or committee member for a number of community organizations including the County Mental Health Society, the American Red Cross, the American Field Service and the Schools Title I Program. She served as Secretary of the Adah Chapter #20 Order of the Eastern Star, a Superintendent of the Bethel A.M.E. Church Sunday School, and a Trustee of the church. She was Corresponding Secretary of the Jamestown Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Chair of its International Trends and Services Facet, Historian and Archivist. Mrs. Kenney was a member of the First Baptist Church where she often served as Sunday Worship Leader. Mrs. Kenney is survived by a son, Scott L. (Gail) Kenney of Ponte Vedra, Florida; a nephew she and her husband raised as a son, Craig A. (Deborah) Leigh of Baltimore, Maryland; four grandchildren, Alexander L. Kenney of Ponte Vedra, Florida, Sheldon X., Brittany N. and Brandon S. Leigh of Baltimore, Maryland; two nephews, Charles B. (Colleen) Carter of Monroeville, Pennsylvania and Joel K. (Olga) Leigh of Silver Spring, Maryland; a niece, Sharon L. Leigh of Rochester, New York; and several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Annabelle L. Carter and Marion L. Garnett; a brother, Calvin H. Leigh; and an infant brother Wilbert A. Leigh. A memorial service will be held at a date and time to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the above button.