#Deaf February 4

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On Sunday January 30, 2022, I lost my 58-year-old sister Mary Frances Kenney who was DEAF. She died in Morristown NJ. Today is her funeral and celebration of life.

For most of my sister’s life my mom Patricia Kenney was her caregiver. The photo below shows my family celebrating her 80th Birthday in 2006. My mom is in the yellow blouse and white pants with my sister Mary to her right.

In addition to being DEAF my sister Mary was also born with Downs Syndrome. For some reason I can’t explain why my mom penned a poem in 2008 in honor of my sister. It was called “DEAF Like Me”. While living in Cedar Knolls NJ she participated in a church sponsored Poetry Workshop and crafted this poem. Later the poem was cross-stitched to a pillow by my cousin Sue Bourke Small. That will be part of the personal belongings in my sister’s casket.

For my “Poem of the Day” as part of the 30-Day Poetry Coach4aday Challenge I read that poem. I have posted a picture of it below.

Today my sister Mary is no longer DEAF, and she can hear us say we love you!