Marlene M. Hennessey

Marlene (Murphy) Hennessey of Bowie Maryland, died peacefully at her home on September 14, 2020. She was born on December 10^th, 1935, the 7^th of 8 children born to Eugene and Mary Ann (Sponsky) Murphy of Bakerton, Pennsylvania. She was a 1953 graduate of Carrolltown High School. She moved to Washington D.C in 1954 to work for the federal government and met her loving husband, James Edward Hennessey, marrying him in 1957. They moved to Bowie, Maryland in 1962 with their three young children.

She was pre-deceased by her husband James in 1991; by brother Eugene Murphy Jr.in 1942; sister Camilla Murphy Tozzini in 2016; and brother Norbert Murphy in 2017.

She is survived by three children, Thomas Hennessey (Roni), Kathleen Hennessey, Kerry DeSantis (Stephen); three grandsons, Theodore James Hennessey, James Hennessey DeSantis, and Justin Thomas Hennessey; two sisters, Norma Murphy and Virginia Murphy McCann; and 16 nieces and nephews.

Her life revolved around her family and her faith. Her faith was central to who she was and she lived it humbly abiding the teachings of Saint Francis to “preach the Gospel at all times and only when absolutely necessary use words.”

She enjoyed cooking, reading, attending daily mass, learning about and studying her faith, and for over 15 years was a dedicated and enthusiastic participant in the Holy Cross Hospital Senior Fit Exercise Program at the City of Bowie Gym, in addition to enjoying her daily “mass and McDonald’s” breakfast club.

Her grateful heart and joyful spirit will be deeply missed.

A memorial mass will take place at St. Pius x Catholic Church on Annapolis Road in Bowie, Maryland in the Spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to So Others Might Eat (SOME) at some.org or mailed to SOME, 71 O Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.