Vivian Dupuy Kenney – SAVANNAH – Vivian Dupuy Kenney 94 passed away peacefully at Savannah Commons on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

Born in Baldwin, LA on October 5, 1920, Vivian was the daughter of the late Jennie Carver and Hillard Roland Dupuy. At the age of three, the family moved to Port Wentworth where her parents established the only general store on the grounds of the new Dixie Crystals Sugar Refinery.

A lifelong Catholic, Vivian was affectionately known as “Lady”. She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church for over 55 years. She attended Port Wentworth Elementary and Savannah High School.  Always popular and strikingly beautiful, she possessed the gift of never meeting a stranger.  In 1938 she was voted the first “Miss Savannah High” and returned 75 years later to crown the Homecoming Queen.

After graduating Savannah High School and Draughn’s Business School, she began her banking career at Citizens and Southern Bank and retired from Savannah Bank and Trust Company in 1983 after 31 years of service.

She remained active as a member of the Daughters of Ireland, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Red Hat Society and the Knights of Columbus Council 631 Auxiliary. When classmates from St. Vincent’s Academy, Benedictine, Commercial High and Savannah High School formed a committee to reunite members of Savannah’s old high schools, “Viv” suggested they be called “The Happy Geechees”.  Decades later they annually meet to reminisce about old Savannah days.  Vivian formed the “BOFS” or Best of Friends, a ladies lunch group which was often spotted at area restaurants.  She was a dedicated volunteer at the Diocese of Savannah office as well as at St. James Catholic Church.

On December 8, 1945, she married John Michael Kenney, a Savannah native and United States Merchant Marine. He was honorably discharged and then established an insurance adjusting company with Vivian at his side transcribing dictations and typing letters.  Vivian and John were married for 31 years until his death in 1976.

Vivian was a proud mother and grandmother. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, many friends and a family who will miss her vibrant spirit and enthusiastic take on life.

In addition to her loving husband and parents, she is preceded in death by sisters Marjorie Teston and Elizabeth Mulligan; granddaughter Erin Mobley and grandson Joe Buckhaults, Jr. Survivors include daughters Kathleen Kenney Brown, Maria Kenney Buckhaults of Savannah and Klair Kenney Snellbaker (Roy) of Fort Myers, FL; grandson James Mobley, Jr. (Jackie) of Fort Myers, FL; granddaughters Emily Brown and Allison Brown of Charlotte, NC; Catherine Walker of Mandeville, LA and Camille Leonard (Stephen) of Savannah; four great-grandchildren Mason Walker, Anna Mobley, John Walker and Henry Leonard; sister-in-law Josephine Kenney Murphy as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Vivian’s wonderful neighbors, her home handyman Larry Ricks and her faithful and loving caretaker Jay Haqq and her professional caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Candlelighters, a children’s cancer support group, at 9981 S Health Park Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908 or a charity of your choice.

Visitation: Fox and Weeks, Hodgson Memorial Drive, this afternoon, Wednesday, November 12 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with vigil service at 4:30 pm.

Funeral: St. James Catholic Church, Montgomery Crossroads, Thursday, November 13, 2014, 10:00 am with burial in Hillcrest Abbey Cemetery; Celebrants Father Patrick O’Brien and Father Mark Ross.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel