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Dana Goolsby Kenneally

Date of Death: December 15, 2023

Date of Birth: June 25, 1937

Biography:

Dana Goolsby Kenneally (86) passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in Topsham, Maine on December 15, 2023. Born in Wartrace, Tennessee to Aline and Daniel Goolsby on June 25, 1937. Dana grew up in Decherd, TN with three younger sisters whom she dearly loved: Gay Speirbhain (NM), Vickie Nahas (NY), and Joy Famularo (KY). The four sisters attended Sacred Heart Academy, an all-girls, Catholic, boarding school in Cullman, Alabama. Dana cherished her years in Cullman, graduating from Sacred Heart in 1955.

Dana's life was woven with a touching love story that began when she met Norman Edward Kenneally (Whitman, MA) in 1957. He was a commissioned officer in the US Navy stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Florida and she, a stewardess with National Airlines flying the New York to Havana, Cuba route. Their enduring love of over 64 years was the cornerstone of the beautiful family they shared. Together they raised three children: Shannon Kenneally Coray (Cmdr. John P. Coray, USN Ret.) of Brunswick, ME, Erin Kenneally (William L. Connelly) of Lovell, ME, and Norman Edward Kenneally Jr. "Ted" (Dr. Katharine Moorehead) of Morehead City, North Carolina.

Her only granddaughter, Mariah Hughes Cormier (Stephen Cormier), Hampden, ME said it best, "We didn't have a grandma, we had Queen." Dana was affectionately called Queen by her five grandchildren. Her love extended to her four grandsons as well: Timothy Kenneally Hughes (and his partner Gabrielle Nordquist) of Chicago, IL, Sen Michael Kenneally of New York, NY, John Keese Coray, "Jack," and Nathaniel James Coray "Nate" both of Brunswick, ME.

A humble artist, Dana's artwork as a 40-year member of the Historical Society of Early American Decorators (HSEAD) spoke volumes about her talent and skill. She became an accomplished painter in mediums including theorem, tole, reverse glass, and portraits. Additionally, Dana was highly skilled at hooking rugs, quilting and lamp shade cutting. Her acclaim as a painter earned her an invitation to paint an Easter egg for the White House Easter Celebration in 1984.

Throughout their life together she and Norm leaped at opportunities to travel. Far off destinations included a 15th wedding anniversary trip to Bavaria and another trip to Hong Kong to celebrate their 20th. Stateside, they always were open to avoiding major highways and cruising the old state roads hunting with their respective keen eyes in long-forgotten corners of the United States; Norm for scenic photog opportunities and Dana for antiques. Their homestead locations were equally wide and varied over their years together; living together in Florida, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, California, Arizona, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and finally Maine.

Dana faced the challenges of dementia with courage and a smile over the past decade. Her final months were spent at The Highlands, a retirement community in Topsham, ME, where the caregivers in the Governor King wing and the CHANs Hospice Staff provided exceptional care and comfort for Dana and her family in those final days. For those caregivers, the family is grateful.

Dana's family will honor her with a Celebration of Life in the new year. Dana Kenneally's legacy of love, resilience, and warmth will forever endure in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Dana Kenneally to the non-profit CHANs Home Health & Hospice care www.mainehealth.org/mid-coast-hospital/support-health-our-community