Webster, NH – Henrietta Ina (Phelps) Kenney passed away on September 27, 2026, at the age of 91. Henrietta, or “Hooky” as some called her, was born in Concord, New Hampshire. She was the fourth daughter, and fourth of seven children, born to William E. and Catherine (Mock) Phelps.
Henrietta grew up on her family’s farm in Webster, New Hampshire. A 10-year member of the Early Hour 4-H Club, she took part in sewing, fashion revue, and showing Holstein cows. Her work earned her five trips to the Big E Fair and a trip to 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. She also served on the NH/NE Dairy Judging Team in Waterloo, Iowa. Henrietta graduated from Simonds Free High School in 1952.
Henrietta married Harold Kenney in 1953. They were married for 67 years, 7 months, and 18 days, until Harold’s passing in 2021. They began their married life in Warren, Michigan, where Harold worked for General Motors Executive Air Transport, before returning to New Hampshire in 1957.
Henrietta worked in banking and at Sanel Auto Parts during the 1950’s. She and Harold then started their own businesses from their home in Boscawen. For over 50 years, Henrietta kept the books for Kenney’s Fuel Service and Kenney’s Sand and Gravel. The two “retired” in the early 2000s, though Henrietta stayed busy in her vegetable garden, canning or preserving what she grew, and taking on whatever project needed doing.
Service to her community was a constant throughout Henrietta’s life. She spent 55 years as a 4-H leader with the Earnest Workers and Much I Do 4-H Clubs, teaching sewing and helping generations of young people. She was an active member of the Much I Do Fire Department Auxiliary beginning in 1960 and served as its president in 1967–68. She served the Town of Boscawen as a Trustee of Trust Funds from 1966 to 1987 and as a Cemetery Trustee from 1998 to 2011.
Henrietta loved history, especially genealogy, New Hampshire, and the towns she called home. A charter member of the Boscawen Historical Society, she served as its curator from 1967 to 1995 and was later named Curator Emeritus. She was also a member of the Webster Historical Society. She seemed to have the answer to any history question. If she didn’t know it off the top of her head, she knew which of her books would.
Though New Hampshire was their favorite place to call home, Henrietta and Harold loved to travel together and with family and friends. They visited places across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii twice each, and took many trips with the NH Farm Bureau to its annual convention. Wherever they went, Henrietta sent postcards home to loved ones, sharing stories of their travels. Their happy place, though, was Kenney’s Bunk, their camp on Rattlesnake Island in Lake Winnipesaukee.
A renowned baker, Henrietta’s specialty was pies. Her chocolate cream, apple, and coconut cream pies were always among the most sought-after at the Farm Bureau pie auction. She also made beautiful, ornate wedding cakes for her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She usually had a craft project underway, too. Over the years, she made hundreds of quilts, afghan blankets, and pairs of mittens to give to friends and family or donate to a good cause.
More than anything, Henrietta treasured family and the traditions that kept everyone close. She and Harold made a point of staying in touch with family and friends and never showed up late to a good party. Henrietta gathered everyone for family photos, sent a Christmas letter each year, and chose a Hallmark ornament for every member of the family. These were some of the many ways she made sure the people she loved knew how special they were to her.
Henrietta is survived by her three children: Peter Kenney and his wife, Brenda, of Pittsburg, NH; Timothy Kenney and his wife, Kimberly, of Boscawen, NH; and Amy Garceau and her husband, Tom, of Chichester, NH. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Samantha Kenney Riel and her husband, Jesse Riel, of Gilmanton, NH; Jaimee Cloud and her husband, Nevin, of Lyme, NH; Justin Kenney and his wife, Stephanie, of Loudon, TN; Zachary Kenney and his wife, Rachel, of Canaan, VT; Meghan Jenks and her husband, Erik Gustufson, of Concord, NH; and Raymond Jenks of Medford, MA. Her six great-grandchildren are Sawyer Maltais; Emily and Edith Cloud; and Lila, Nora, and Bria Kenney. She is also survived by her in-laws Mary Ellen Kenney of Boscawen, NH, Tom Fenton of Warner,NH and Mary Phelps of Tamworth, NH, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Henrietta was predeceased by her husband, Harold; her parents; her five sisters, Pauline Scruton, Priscilla Stoddard, Patricia Inman, Gloria Fenton, and Geraldine Phelps; her brother, Edward Phelps; and her brothers-in-law Frank Scruton and Randy Inman.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11:30AM at Corser Hill Cemetery on Allen Road in Webster, NH, with Pastor David Richardson officiating. A celebration of Henrietta’s life will follow at Webster Town Hall. Chadwick Funeral Home in New London will handle the arrangements.
Donations in Henrietta’s memory may be made to the Merrimack County 4-H Foundation, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH or a charity of one’s choice.
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