Mary Alvanette Kennan

Mary Alvanette  (Shahade) Kennan, age 101, passed away peacefully May 14th, 2023 in Naples, Florida.  Born March 26th, 1922 in Johnstown, PA, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Heider) Shahade.  

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Dr. Fred J, sons John and Alex, son-in-law Norman Solomon, brothers Robert and Theodore, sister Genevieve Milkie, sisters-in-law, Ruth, Nancy and Virginia Shahade, brother-in-law George Milkie, and niece Susan Shahade.  Survived by sister Sara Shahade, daughters Marian (Kennan) Boulus and Katherine (Kennan) Solomon, son-in-law Dr. Michael Boulus, grandchildren John and Paul Boulus, great-grandchildren Charlie, Nicholas, Samantha, Emilia, and Sophia, nieces Maryanne Milkie, Lisa (Sam) Catanese, Debbie (Wade) Paxton, nephews, George (Sandy) Milkie, Terry (Janie) Milkie, Alex (Nancy) Shahade, Robert and Mitchell Shahade, numerous great-nieces and nephews.

“Alvanette” was a founding member and devoted to both St. Marys Antiochian Orthodox Church, Johnstown and St. Pauls Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples.  For decades, she donated her time to fundraising and held various positions in the church.  Alvie touched many friends and family members through the sharing of food, her wisdom, courage and determination through adversity, and her willingness to always help those in need.  She enjoyed many years of reading, crossword, sudoku and jigsaw puzzles, card games, ceramics, Red Hat Ladies, and travelling.  But most of all, she loved cooking and spending time with her family and friends.  Her joy was reflected in her constant smile, twinkly eyes and her giggle. 

We want to thank the many family and friends who have loved and supported Alvanette throughout her life and for the last several years.  We especially wish to thank the “dream team” of caregivers whom she loved and who loved her in return; Andrea, Dorrett, Rose, Jacqueline, Sandra and Beatrice.

Friends will be received between 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, May 19th at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, where Trisagion Prayers of Mercy will be sung at 6:00 PM.  Funeral service will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, the 20th of May at St. Marys Orthodox Church. Committal at Grandview Cemetery following the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Alvanette’s memory to St. Marys Special Projects Fund or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.