Ardiss Marie Kenney

Ardiss Marie Kenney, nee Landwehr, age 89, went home to her Lord on December 9, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard "Dick" Kenney for a loving 44 years, devoted mother of Patricia "Patti" (Thomas Fraser) Kenney, James "Jim" (Cynthia Figueroa) Kenney, and the late William "Bill" Richard Kenney II. Proud Grandmother of Jonathan (Lisa Derrington-Fraser) Fraser, Emily (Rob Morrison) Fraser, Michael Kenney, Dana Kenney, Erica (Rick Kimbrough) Kenney, Vanessa Kenney, Annabel Calhoun and Lauren Figueroa. She was the dear daughter of the late Arthur J. Landwehr I and Alice M. Landwehr, nee Borchardt, fond Sister of the late Rev. Arthur J. Landwehr II (Avonna Lee Mitchell Landwehr Anderson), aunt of Arthur J. (Helen) Landwehr III and Andrea (Terry) Parrish, Great-Aunt of Phillip Landwehr, Andrew Askow, Nathan Askow, and Cole Parrish, and Great-Grand-Aunt of Olivia Landwehr.

Born in rural Northbrook, IL, Ardiss loved school, music, dancing, flowers, and ice skating. She worked at her parents’ restaurant the Village Pantry as a waitress and often ran to the Five and Dime to buy knick-knacks for her mother with her tips. She successfully petitioned the township of Northbrook to create a youth center, where she played the piano and enjoyed free time with her friends. She majored in piano performance at Northern Illinois University and while there, met her husband Dick, whom she married before graduation.

She loved her family very much, and always remembered birthdays and anniversaries. She hosted her family for holidays, and was famous for her turkey stuffing at Thanksgiving, and her pumpkin pies at Christmas. She put over 500 ornaments and glass garlands on the Christmas tree, which was bursting with presents.

She was a music teacher, and worked for many years at Hubbard High School and Richards Vocational High School. She was strict but fair, a mentor to her students, and created a band at Richards which soon flourished and played concerts as well as graduation ceremonies.

Ardiss and Dick enjoyed their neighbors in southwest Chicago, and took their children on vacation every summer up north to Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Ardiss loved spending time at the family cottage on Tee Lake in Indiana, which was built by her husband Dick’s grandfather and great uncle. She loved watching the water and the wildlife, especially the birds. She loved entertaining and was known for her amazing spreads at their annual Super Bowl party.

After she lost her husband in 1992, she continued to live with her son Bill until his death in 2000. She continued to play cards and do puzzles, and won 2 out of 3 games of cribbage with her grandson Jon just a week before she was admitted to the hospital for the last time due to complications of heart and kidney failure. She always cared about looking her best, and continued to see a hair stylist until the Friday before her death. She was a person of deep faith, and read several devotional books on a daily basis. She was loved by many for her kindness, wit, and fun-loving spirit, and her life, legacy, and love will continue to lift up the spirits of many. All who remember her are blessed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 11 am at McGann and Son Funeral Home, 10727 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL, with visitation from 10-11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association.