Kenagy, Kathleen Erb (1924-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Mar 3 p. 11

Birth date: 1924 Oct 12

text of obituary:

Missionary in Israel and Puerto Rico dies at 78

By Mennonite Mission Network

ALBANY, Ore. — Kathleen Erb Kenagy, a former mission worker in Puerto Rico and Israel, died Feb. 12 after a battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was 78.

Born Oct. 12, 1924, in Wellman, Iowa, to Anna (Brenneman) and Truman Erb, she married Benjamin Kenagy in 1950.

The Kenagys served from 1956 to 1959 in Puerto Rico with Mennonite Board of Missions. They worked at the Aibonita General Hospital.

From 1978 to 1984, the Kenagys worked at the Edinburgh Medical missionary Society Hospital in Nazareth, Israel. Kathleen was an administrative assistant, and Benjamin was a doctor. Kathleen is remembered as being willing to do any task, including typing for nursery-school tutors, producing newsletters and sewing hospital gowns.

"The Kenagys were a deeply appreciated part of the team in Israel," said Roy Kreider, Mennonite Board of Missions country director when the Kenagys served. "They came at an important time and played a strengthening role. They developed important ministry relationships. it was always a delight to be with Ben and Kathleen."

After mooving [sic] in 1959 to Lebanon, Ore., Kenagy continued to engage in mission through artistic creativity. She loved quilting, woodworking, basket-making and embroidery. She donated her creations to raise money for mission projects.

Kenagy received a degree in secretarial studies from Goshen (Ind.) college in 1950. She graduated from Oregon State University in 1970 with a major in home economics and a minor in early childhood education.

She was a member of Lebanon Mennonite Church.

Kenagy is survived by her husband, two daughters, four grandchildren, three great-grandsons, two brothers and a sister.