Mary Helen Kenning's Obituary
Mary Helen Kenning, 89 years of age, was a resident of Carlton, Oregon for the past 5 years. Passed away on August 6, 2014 in Portland, Oregon at St. Vincent Hospital. Mary was born April 2, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to James and Thelma Judd. She had 3 sisters, Jimalee Gottshall, Thelma Mae Cline and Glenda Shepherd. She graduated from Webster High School in Tulsa and then went on to work at Western Union transcribing telegraphs. From there she proudly served her country in the United States Marine Corp where she met and married the love of her life, John A. Kenning II. She would have made the Marines her life time career but could not be guaranteed she would not be transferred away from her husband. So she left the Marine Life and they moved back home to Tulsa to begin their life. They had their one and only child John A. Kenning III. She later moved to Broken Arrow and returned to work as a medical secretary/office manager for Dr. Gerner in Broken Arrow, and then finished her working career as a medical secretary at St. Johns Hospital in the Cardiac department. Mary lived most of her life in Tulsa, Oklahoma until 5 years ago when she moved to Carlton, Oregon to live with her son and his family. Mary is survived by her son, John A. Kenning III and his wife, Linda Kenning, her grandchildren, John A. Kenning IV, Steven Kennings and Katie Kenning, her great grandchildren Michael, Ashley and Lily Kenning, her sisters, Jimalee Gottshall and Glenda Shepherd. Mary was preceded by her husband, John A. Kenning II and her sister, Thelma Mae Cline. Graveside services will be held August 13, 2014 at 10:00 at the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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