Barbara A. Kenney

On January 4, 2026, the beautiful soul of Barbara Ann Kenney was called home to God after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was peaceful and surrounded by the love of her family when she passed.

Barbara was born in Providence, RI on November 13, 1967, to her dear parents, Bertha and the late George Sanky, and grew up alongside her three older sisters, Josie, Margaret, and Cathy. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and starting her career as a software engineer at Raytheon Corporation, she met the love of her life, John. Together, they built a home and a family, and settled in Groton, Massachusetts for over 20 years. Barbara cherished her role as the mother of her two daughters, Jennifer and Lauren, and supported them through every stage of their lives. She was extremely proud to see Jennifer graduate from physician assistant school and Lauren succeed in medical school this past year.

Barbara was known for her strong moral compass, hardworking nature, and remarkable tenacity, no matter what she was facing. Barbara was a skilled and intelligent engineer by trade, but her true passion lay in weekend adventures, walks with friends and loved ones, and her devotion to her Catholic faith. Barbara held a fierce love for her family and was a source of constant support and guidance. She enjoyed daily phone calls with her mother, sisters, and daughters. Barbara felt most peaceful at the beach, which was her “happy place”. She loved taking spontaneous trips to Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, and enjoying “Family Beach Day” at Scarborough Beach in Rhode Island. She found companionship and comfort in her cat, Joy.

Barbara is survived and deeply missed by her loving husband, John; her daughters, Jennifer and Lauren; her mother, Bertha Sanky (of North Providence, RI); her sisters and their families including Josephine, Felix, and Katelyn Santilli (of North Providence, RI), Margaret, Anthony, Sarah, and Matthew Depamphilis (of Portsmouth, RI), and Catherine, Keith, and Ashley Thibault (of Lincoln, RI); and her sister-in-laws Maureen Kenney (of Hartford, CT) and Mary Jane Macleod (of Estero, FL). Barbara is preceded in death by her father, George Sanky. Her light will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she left behind.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Barbara to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, to support research for this devastating disease. https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 am at Badger Groton Funeral Home, 45 School Street, Groton, MA.  Her funeral mass will follow at 11:00 am at Blessed Trinity Parish - St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 North Main Street, Westford, Massachusetts, 01886.

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 45 School St., Groton, MA, 01450. 978-486-3709