Inez Annie Kenney

Fondly known by many as “Nezzie” she was born Inez Annie Patterson on Feb. 08, 1918 in Manitou, Manitoba to Frank and Gladys Patterson. In 1926 the family purchased land – sight unseen as a lake front property in Oyama B.C. After travelling from Manitoba to B.C. they found that only from the roof of their cozy cottage could the lake be seen far below their home on the upper bench of Oyama.

Inez spent her childhood amongst the orchards, lakes and mountains of Oyama, graduating with her friends from the little Oyama school. After graduation Inez became a member of the Kalamalka Women’s Institute and the Anglican Women’s Guild. Thus, began a lifelong dedication to community service and volunteer work. She has been known to describe volunteering as “the staff of life”. She gave of herself endlessly to her family, her friends and her community. She was generous and dedicated, patient and kind, not asking or expecting any return from those she gave to.

From 1936 to 1939 she worked for the Oyama packing house and was proud to be one of the “Apple Box Belles”. After completing business college in 1940 Inez moved to Ottawa and was assigned to the Department of National Defence where she supervised a steno pool until 1945. It was in Ottawa that she met and married Arthur Kenney and in 1947 she brought her husband home to Oyama to meet and live with her parents in the cozy cottage where she had grown up. The beauty of Oyama and the love of Inez’s parents won Arthur over and Oyama became their permanent home.

While raising their family of 4 Inez worked for the Vernon Fruit Union in Oyama until 1969. She then took on the role of secretary at George Elliot High School in Winfield and in 1974 she became secretary at Spring Valley High School until retiring in 1982. After Arthur’s passing in 1986 Inez became an active member of the Lake Country Health Planning Society, re-joined the Kalamalka Women’s Institute and the Anglican Church Women. She was also a member of Oyama Community Club as well as a long -standing executive member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Legion.

As Inez aged, she always found some way of giving of herself. While living in Vernon she would scour the thrift shops to create layettes for mothers in need, delivering washed and pressed packages of help to the Vernon Hospital maternity ward. She knitted and crocheted innumerable socks, lap blankets and afghans, baby sweaters etc. for both family and community services.

Inez was pre-deceased by her husband Arthur in 1986. She is survived by her four children, Judy (Daryl) Douglas, Maureen (David) Cowan, Bill (Gayle) Kenney, and Terry (Traci) Kenney. Inez had eight grand children, twelve great grand children, five step-great grand children, and six step-great, great, grand-children.

Inez will be lovingly remembered for her love and dedication to her family, her strength of character, and her genuine kindness to many as was reflected in her countless hours of volunteer service.

The family extend a special thanks to the staff and nurses at David Lloyd Jones Home in Kelowna for their care and compassion throughout her stay there.

Due to the current restrictions, no memorial service will be held at this time. The family hopes to host a memorial at Kaloya Park in Oyama in the summertime if circumstances allow. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with Firs Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299