Barbara “Kenny” Gaffney

Barbara Keeneh Gaffney, daughter of Thomas J. Powers and Catherine Lavin Powers, and affectionately called Kenny, passed away peacefully onDecember 12th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a resident of Shannondell at Valley Forge, PA and Vero Beach, FL. Kenny was born in Philadelphia and raised in Upper Darby, PA, the youngest of three girls, where she attended Holy Child Academy Sharon Hill and St. Joseph’s University. Always passionate about education, Kenny taught 1st grade and was deeply involved in the education of all her children, volunteering and even serving on the board of Holy Child School at Rosemont. A lifelong learner herself, Kenny went back to school later in life and received her Masters in Library Science from Villanova University and subsequently went to work at Arco Chemical Company. Kenny was married to the love of her life, Dr. Edmund J. Gaffney, MD for 56 years after being set up on a blind date and a short 6-month courtship. This started the journey that their 5 children lovingly refer to as ‘The Kenny and Ed Show’, because there were always great stories and lots of laughs as these two smart, strong personalities navigated their life together. Throughout their long partnership together, they raised five children and sixteen grandchildren. A devout Roman Catholic, Kenny and Ed never missed Sunday mass and heavily relied on their faith. They worked together at everything teaching their children and grandchildren about teamwork and the importance of family. They will be missed especially on the sidelines cheering on all their grandchildren. Kenny is predeceased by her husband Ed, siblings Maureen Best and Elizabeth Ann Murray and her son-in-law Colin A. Campbell.Kenny is survived by her five children: Ms. Kara Ross, Mrs. Keeneh Comizio (Robert), Mr. Edmund Gaffney (Sharon), Mrs. Becky Campbell (Peter Dunn) and Mr. Stephen Gaffney (Liz). There will be a private service for immediate family.