Our town lost another citizen extraordinaire on February 28, 2023 when Mary Kennan passed away at the age of 92. Mary and her husband Dana, who predeceased her, were the second residents to receive recognition from The Hampton Gazette as “Citizens of the Year” for their several volunteer endeavors. These included delivering, and serving as local coordinators for, Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the elementary school, administering Social Services at the Town Hall, and assisting with FANS, Friends and Neighbors, a group of residents who charged themselves with the responsibility of “looking after one another.”

Mary was a Brownie, Cub Scout, and 4-H leader. She was a very active member of the Hampton Congregational Church, serving on many committees including the Ladies Aide and the Board of Deaconesses, and singing in the choir. She also participated in The Hampton Community Players, and from 1986 to 2001, was a member of the Hampton Gazette’s editorial board, fulfilling the responsibility of production prior to the use of computers, when she spent countless weekends cutting and pasting the various articles to produce the town’s monthly newspaper. Perhaps most memorably, Mary and Dana were Santa and Mrs. Claus at the East Brook Mall for many Christmas seasons. These were the roles which suited them so well, for they were one of the warmest, friendliest, most giving couples in our community.

And children loved them. This was evident in their involvement in youth groups and in the school. “Mr. and Mrs. Kennan were the epitome of what it meant to be a good neighbor, friend and citizen,” Becky Burell Gagne recalled. “They were always doing for others, helping in the community. While taking caring of their constantly growing brood of children. Some of their kids were biological and some were adopted. I honestly think that they lost track. Because they loved them all. As well as all of their children’s friends.”

Along with their son Jon, still a resident of Hampton, and “Kim”, who predeceased Mary, the Kennan’s adopted four children, daughters Grace Couchon, Joanne Amill and Joy Hourihan, and son Rob. Mary is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. Our condolences to them all.