Mary Joan Bouchard (McGlew) Kenny

 NEWBURYPORT, MA Mary Joan Bouchard Kenny “Joanie”, of Newburyport, MA, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Born at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, MA, on August 1, 1938, to parents Catherine (Barry) and Daniel McGlew, also of Newburyport, MA.

Joanie attended Immaculate Conception School and Newburyport High School, class of 1956. She attended the Chandler School for Women in Boston. While living in Boston, she met Vincent E. Bouchard, a student at Mass College of Pharmacy. They married in 1961. Joanie worked as a medical secretary in a physician’s home office while Vincent pursued his master’s degree. They welcomed 2 children in 11 months, Vinny & Meg. Vincent’s job moved them to Pittsburgh, PA, where they welcomed another child, Duffy. As Vincent furthered his career, the family made their move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they had a fourth child, Dan.

When they returned to Newburyport in 1978, Joanie reconnected with everyone in her beloved hometown, including her childhood friends, “the old girls,” and they remained close until the end.

Joanie worked as the assistant to the president at Enpro Services for 10 years, after which she volunteered and then was employed for 20 years at the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce. She will be remembered for her white pageboy haircut, reading glasses on her head, scarves around her neck, and bangles on her wrists. She also always tried to avoid left-hand turns while driving. More importantly, Joanie will be remembered for her tireless work ethic, unparalleled wit and sense of humor, uncanny ability to tell a story, kindness and generosity, and devout loyalty to her friends, family, and faith.

Seemingly known by everyone in town, Joanie was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, an active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish, and a devoted member of the American Cancer Society, as a cancer survivor herself. She was a long-time friend of Bill W. and volunteered her time and heart to the young women at the Maris House for Women in Salisbury, MA.

Married for nearly 40 years to Vincent, they built a family of love and laughter together. A few years after Vincent’s death in September of 2000, Joanie met Richard Kenny of Danvers, MA and they married in 2005. She resided in Danvers until Richard’s death in 2022, where she made many new friends. Joanie then returned to her beloved Newburyport.

Joanie is survived by her four children, Vincent J. Bouchard and his wife, Jill of Newburyport, MA; Margaret Foster and her husband, Glenn of Newburyport, MA; P. Duffy Bouchard and his wife, Karen, of Andover, MA; and Daniel Bouchard and his wife, Sarah, of Amesbury, MA. Known as “Jokie” to her grandchildren: Margaret Tassinari and her husband, Michael; Sarah Perkins; Catherine Gillis Kretsch and her husband Eric; Emily Foster Lyons and her husband Connor; Olivia Foster and her husband, Erik Sola; Vincent G. Bouchard; Geo Bouchard; Phoebe Bouchard; and Charlotte Bouchard; great-grandchildren Harlow Tassinari; Fiona Tassinari; Paloma Kretsch; and Lucian Kretsch.

Joanie is also survived by her loving sister, Margaret “Peggy” McGlew Johnson of West Hampton Beach, NY, and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Bouchard, brother, John McGlew, sister-in-law, Constance McGlew, son-in-law Paul Gillis, and brother-in-law, Carlton Johnson.

Mary Joan’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport, MA, for the kindness, love, and support that they provided Joanie over the past two years.

Family and friends may call from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Thursday February 27, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30. Burial will be private at a later date. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mrs. Kenny’s family with her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Maris Center for Women, 197 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA 01952, part of Link House online at https://linkhouseinc.org

For directions or to offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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