Sanchen K. Kenney

Sanchen K. Kenney (Schaefer), age 97, passed away on April 9, 2025. Sanchen was born, raised and educated in New York. She attended Lafayette High School and after graduation held several clerical positions before starting her family. She and her children resided in New York before meeting her beloved husband Paul. They continued to raise their extended family in Niagara Falls and Cornwall-on-Hudson before moving to Dorchester and eventually settling in Weymouth in 1973 where they shared a home for more than 50 years.

First and foremost a proud homemaker, Sanchen did not embark on her career until after her children were grown. Sanchen was employed at South Shore Bank and promoted to Trust Officer during her tenure. Upon retiring from the bank, she held a position with Cri-Tech, Inc. before eventually leaving the work force for full retirement in 1994.

Sanchen and Paul were deeply involved with the bicentennial celebration in 1976 as Revolutionary War reenactors with the Weymouth Militia and beyond. As an extremely talented seamstress, Sanchen handmade all of their Revolutionary War apparel and uniforms with exceptional detail. Sanchen found peace and tranquility in gardening and could often be found tending to her many gardens around her home. A gifted artist, talented cake decorator, accomplished at knitting, crocheting and needlepoint, Sanchen mastered most any handiwork she tried. Sanchen found her true passion with quilting in which she flourished after retirement. Sanchen was a member of several quilting guilds including the Crosstown Quilters' Guild and the Herring Run Quilters' Guild in Norwell, and frequently gifted her quilts to family and friends. A lover of NASCAR races and football games with a sparkling laugh and deep love of family, she was a true friend, beloved wife and an amazing mother to her children.

Sanchen is predeceased by her beloved husband of sixty one years, Paul, her son Mark Kirchner, son-in-law Paul McAlister and granddaughter Paige Jackman.

Sanchen is survived by her daughters, Wendy McAlister of Stoughton and Joan Shaw and her husband Bob of Pembroke, her son Gary Kirchner and his wife Claudia of Delaware. Sanchen also leaves her grandchildren, Heather, Michael, Alexis, Evan, Kyle, Ryan, Danielle, and Andrew, six great-grandchildren, and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation for Sanchen on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm in the C.C. Shepherd Funeral Home located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) South Weymouth. A memorial service will follow immediately after visitation, in the funeral home at 2:00 pm. Donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or a charity close to your heart.