Linda Jane Kenney
June 5, 1937 — March 19, 2024
Linda “Linde” Jane Kenney, age 86, passed away peacefully on the first day of Spring, March 19, 2024, in Alhambra, CA. She was born June 5, 1937, in La Verne, CA, to her loving parents Hazel and Dwight Shirk and sister Sandra Shirk.
After graduating from high school and moving to Arizona, Linde met the love of her life, Robert Kenney, while the two attended Arizona State University. They wed in 1958 and welcomed their first child one year later. The pair would go on to be married for 61 blissful years. Linde and Bob’s love story was one of enduring commitment and joy, creating a legacy of love that will live on for generations to come.
Beyond her family, Linde dedicated a large portion of her life to her career teaching children how to read in her kindergarten classroom for 32 years. She also spent her life as a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta, even taking on the nickname “Gamme” amongst her grandchildren as a nod to her sorority and sisterhood.
Her favorite days were spent on the beach searching for treasures, soaking up the sun and enjoying spending time with friends and family. She celebrated everyone’s accomplishments as if they were her own, collaging her refrigerator with newspaper clippings and photos of the people she loved. She chatted with anyone that would listen and always left them smiling. As she aged, one of her greatest joys was keeping in touch with friends via letters covered in smiley faces and secured with Scotch tape.
Linde was the epitome of love and kindness, and her legacy lives on through her children, Kim Toliver (Jack Toliver), Kelli Hammon (David Hammon), and Rob Kenney (Melinda Kenney), grandchildren Jake Toliver, Molly Toliver, Kenney Toliver, Kati Hammon, Sarah Hammon, Jamie Hammon, Caroline Kenney, and Brandon Kenney, and great-grandchildren Shay Toliver and Spencer Toliver. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her unwavering love and devotion to her family, friends, and students. A private service will be held in September.
