Mary Ann (Kenny) Denbow, 87, of Peace Dale, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at South County Hospital. She was the devoted wife of 49 years to the late James Denbow, who died in 2006.

She was born in The Bronx, New York City, on June 13, 1938, the daughter of the late Daniel and Lillian (Fitzgerald) Kenny.

At 18, Mary Ann, a city girl, began corresponding with a farm boy from Dighton, Massachusetts, who was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The two formulated a secret plan to meet in Providence, Rhode Island, resulting in a lifelong love story full of adventures, travel and surprise.

Along with trips to Bermuda and Hawaii there were many road trips in the states. Mary Ann would accompany Jim as he learned to pilot small planes and became an avid boater and motorcycle rider.

She never missed a family party, enjoying frequent gatherings with her cousins, the Millers and the Graves. Scarborough Beach in Narragansett held a special place in her heart.

Mary Ann was a homemaker who not only cared for her five children but would babysit neighborhood children and take in several foster care kids. She instilled in all of them the importance of supporting and loving others.

She fiercely loved her siblings, John Kenny and his wife Mary Lou, and the late Joan (Kenny) Marshall and Frances (Kenny) Hooper.

Mary Ann was also a planner, never missing a weekly hair appointment for 40 years with Amy McGillivary of South Kingstown, whom she loved like a daughter.

She was known for her scheduling prowess, accomplishing errands despite the fact that she never drove a vehicle. She had a keen sense of direction and was considered the original GPS by her family.

She is survived by her loving children, Ann F. Blood of Sorrento, Maine, Joan B. Duray of North Kingstown, Laura E. Kelly of Peace Dale, J. Daniel Denbow and his wife Elizabeth of Sterling, Connecticut, and Jennifer A. Grossman and her husband Eric of Peace Dale. She was the grandmother of seven beautiful grandchildren, Jessica, Aimee, Robert, Sarah, Jeremiah, Andrew and Michael; eight great-grandchildren, Grace, Caroline, Samuel, Owen, Silas, Rowan, Magdalena and Oliver; two nieces, Tracey and Desiree; and a nephew, Sean. Her dear friend Marie-Claude Coates of Narragansett will miss their daily chats.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 9 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High St., Wakefield. Burial will follow at the R.I. Veterans Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter. Visiting hours are omitted.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 13, noon to 3 p.m. at the Quonset O' Club, 200 Lt. James Brown Road, North Kingstown. Please RSVP to 401-249-2480.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to GEAR Productions of South Kingstown at

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/14486292-e729-4819-a8ea-783adceaac27 or The Gentle Farm of Wakefield at https://www.thegentlefarmri.org/donate