Martha Jane Kenny

Jane Kenny was born Martha Jane O'Brien in Oakland, California on June 24, 1926. She was the fifth of six children born to Thomas Cyril O'Brien and Helen Rowe O'Brien.

Jane graduated from Oakland High School and later attended San Jose State College. She worked as the Recreation Director at Bella Vista school and park in Oakland, which she loved. She was active in sports, especially basketball and tennis. She always emphasized the importance of good sportsmanship to all of her children.

In 1953 she married Jack (John Buckmaster) Kenny, whom she had met on a ski trip. They had six children, Sue (Kenny) Hudlow, Bryce (John) Kenny, Bill Kenny, Katie (McGreevy) Kenny, Patty (Kenny) Metcalf and Mary Kenny.

Jack and Jane attended St. Benedicts church in Oakland throughout their married lives and had many life-long friends there.

In the late 1970's the Mien people from Laos came to Oakland via Thailand. They were refugees who had helped the U.S during the Vietnam War. Jane helped teach them English and to become accustomed to life in the U.S. in other ways. Some very deep friendships developed that lasted over 45 years.

Jane was preceded in death by all of her siblings, Helen O'Brien, Bernice Gabehart, Marge Tavare, Tom O'Brien and Theresa Vicknair, as well as her husband Jack.

She is survived by her six children, ten grandchildren, Jonathan Hudlow, Rachel (Hudlow) Cherian, Abby Hudlow and David Hudlow, Heather Kenny Dudella, Reed Kenny, Kendra Metcalf, Kylie (Metcalf) Milton, Conor McGreevy, and Finn McGreevy, as well as five great-grandchildren, Ethan Hudlow, Zak Hudlow, Nadine Hudlow, Levi Hudlow, and Caleb Cherian.

Jane's last five years were spent in San Diego living with her daughter Sue and son-in-law Gene Hudlow surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed. She returned to her Heavenly Father and Creator on her 99th birthday, June 24, 2025.