Constance “Connie” Corette Kenney passed away peacefully on May 21, 2023 after a lifetime of amazing adventures. Connie was born in Butte, Montana on May 10, 1938 as the first child (always the matriarch) to nurturing and loving parents, Bob and Lorrie Holt Corette. As a young girl, she loved skiing, swimming, shooting her pistol (she received on her 16th birthday), horseback riding, and driving the tractor during hay season on the Corette family ranch south of Butte. There she enjoyed many adventures with her siblings, RD, Susan and Holt as well as her Hauck and Corette cousins. She was delighted and proud that part of the Yellowstone 1923 television series was recently filmed at the old Corette Ranch.
After graduating from Girls Central with her beloved class of 1956, she traveled to Europe and Africa while pretending to be a student in Paris. Later she graduated from the University of Montana. She was a proud Alumni and Past President of the Alumni Association. GO GRIZ! Another of her most outstanding achievements was being inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame along with her team in 2007 for being the Head Ski Coach of the Butte High Lady Bulldogs that won the State Championship in 1962. She was the first female to be a head coach of a State Championship high school team in Butte. That moment became even more special when she was later joined by her youngest son Tom, as he received his “Green Jacket” for his induction into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Connie married Pat Kenney in 1962 and from that union came their two sons, Pat and Tom. They later divorced but stayed friends until his death in 2002. She was a wonderful mother and an amazing grandmother to Riley, Patrick, Jaylin and Colin. Connie was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews whom she adored.
She started her working life as an English teacher at East Junior High. Connie left teaching to become a full-time mom of her two boys. As they grew, she reentered the workforce working part-time for KXLF TV and then becoming the News Director for KBOW/KOPR Radio. One of her proudest moments as a broadcaster was her live reporting of the Our Lady of the Rockies Statue being placed on Butte’s East Ridge. She truly became “the voice” of Our Lady. During her tenure Connie received several awards for her outstanding broadcasting. Another great moment was interviewing Charles Kuralt of CBS. Following her radio career, she found her true calling as the Executive Director for the Butte Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce, for more than 13 years Connie promoted her love of Butte. This was the perfect job for Connie as she lived and breathed Butte America. As the film liaison for Travel Montana, Connie was instrumental in marketing Butte and Montana as filming locations. She was also President for Gold West Country through the Chamber of Commerce. Her passion for community led her to becoming a board member for CCCS, Inc. for a span of several decades. She was still active in this role at the time of her passing.
Over the years Connie received many awards and accolades. She was most proud of being voted Women of the Year by the Business and Professional Women of Butte in 1990. Connie graduated from the University of Notre Dame, attending the Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management in 1994 – Go Irish! In 2000 she was voted Montana Tourism Person of the Year. Connie retired in 2003. As expected, she remained active as a volunteer/member of organizations including Butte Food Bank, BSB Archives, PEO Chapter G and RSVP, to name a few. She cherished her time and friends she made during these endeavors.
The lights of her life were definitely her two sons, daughters-in-law and her four grandchildren. They are Pat and Donna Kenney (Patrick) of Butte and Tom and Lisa Kenney (Riley and Kramer Ungaretti, Jaylin and Colin) of Polson. Connie was known for the many miles she would travel to ensure she attended every sporting event for all four grandchildren. This included her traveling more than 800 miles in one day to cheer them all on in different locations. She was especially proud of all four of her grandchildren for earning college degrees.
Connie is survived by her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. She is also survived by her only sister Susan Matule, sisters-in-law Patty Corette, Jodi Corette and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents and dear brothers RD and Holt.
A special thank you to all the amazing staff at The Springs of Butte and Copper Ridge Rehab Center for your wonderful care over the past 17 months. Thank you to Father Thomas Haffey, Father Robert Porter and Deacon John Uggetti for all the visits, support, love and prayers you shared. To her amazing circle of friends, some of more than 80 years, it was your love and encouragement that kept her strong, you were her rock. To the staff at CCCS, especially Mike Thatcher, words will never express our gratitude for all you did for her, we thank you. Dr. Shawna Yates and Julie Tresidder, thank you for your loving care and compassion.
Until we meet again Mom and Gma, we love you! You truly were the thread that held our extended family together.
Connie’s family will receive friends on Thursday, June 1st from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 2100 Farragut Avenue in Butte. A reception will immediately follow at St. Ann’s Hall. A private interment will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Butte.
Memorials may be made to the Butte Food Bank, Butte Central Foundation or Charity of Donor’s Choice.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Connie.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Connie and her family.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
Reception
Following Mass
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
Reception
Following Mass
Thursday June 1, 2023
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Alex Vukovich says
May her Memory Be Eternal.
Terry W Bass says
Great person. Fine News reporting. The Ladiy of the Rockies will meet her in Heaven Rest in Peace
Amy Goldberg says
I grew up two doors down from Connie and the boys. I have wonderful memories of the time spent in her home. My fondest memory is of listening to her being the radio commentator for the July 3 fireworks displays.
Mary murphy says
Connie was my best longtime friend and neighbor. She will be missed by many
Lisa and Tony Orizotti says
Connie was a true Butte legend! She blessed so
Many lives. The memories from growing up on the West side near Connie and her boys are so vivid! What a wonderful friend to so many people! Sending love to the family!❤️
Carol kramer says
Connie was the “Go to friend.” She was generous with her time and concerns. She had a special room in my home for her trips to Griz games. After a fifty years friendship, my heart is broken.
Richard Adler says
No one drove Montana the way Connie did. She could show up in your driveway with fun gifts. Carol and I loved her.
Frederic B. Moriarty says
I have known and admired Connie all my life. She is a giant among Butte citizens, in many ways a reminder of the greatness of Butte’s past, but always focusing on what she could do now to push things forward. My wife Donna and I are proud to call her friend and extend our condolences to the Kenney and Corette families. She leaves a gaping hole.
Lori Verrall says
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Connie.
My condolences to the family. May she rest in eternal peace
Lori Verrall
Judy Paige says
So sorry for your loss
Connie was such a lovely lady always kind and so wonderful to all
She will be missed
Ron and judy Paige
Rob and Johanna Hanson says
Connie was a great friend. When Rob and I got married and lived in Butte the first party I went to in Butte was at Pat and Connie house for St Patrick’s Day.
She will be missed.
Anonymous says
Connie was the consummate “Butte Girl”, a woman of extraordinary personal and professional depth and breadth. God rest her soul.
Jo Ann Buysse says
My deepest sympathies to her family and the 1000’s of us who loved her! She was a such a gifted person and professional! I always enjoyed time with her. RIP dear Connie!💚
Gene Jense says
RIP CONNIE. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU’RE FAMILY.
Karen “Miller” Baker says
Connie was an amazing woman. Thanks Connie for all you did for the Butte community ♥️
Julie Bowman says
Remembering watching the 4th of July Fireworks with Connie and family at her apartment below the Big M. Our deepest condolences to the Kenney family – Julie Bowman and family
Gerry Walter says
There are no words that tell about Connie!! She was Mrs Butte–kept us all going in the right direction. Generous to a fault. She was the kind of leader who worked up front and behind the scenes. could and did so much for Butte. There will never be another Connie Kenney! She was my friend and I miss her so much. I’ll bet she’s got heaven moving forward! Until we chat together again!
Brenda (Larvie) Dotson says
My deepest condolences to Connie’s family. Connie was truly kind and generous lady. I have many fond memories of her daily walk across Platinum Street to visit with her mom Lorrie especially when Bob was out of town. May her zest and love of life bring a smile to your face and warmth in your hearts for a life we’ll lived.
Andre Boucher says
God bless you Connie. You were always an inspiration.
Mary Ellen Schnur says
I knew Connie during her years on the Gold West board. What a wonderful character and leader! She was inspiring and delightful; she got things done, and all for the love of Butte and Montana. One of my favorite people.
Shirley Beck says
Dale Siegford and I have known our Sweet Connie since 1991, and she has been such fabulous support for us as we tried to help Philipsburg during its dying years and promote the visitor opportunities. We called ourselves Big Butte and Little Burg. Connie was the consummate promoter of anything Montana even outside Butte. Her genuine interest in our trials and successes showed in the depth of her smile and her eyes, and her joy, laughter, and encouragement.
Darien G Scott says
Though our paths crossed infrequently, she always seemed glad to see me. She was so friendly and full of life.
We will be truly missed
Bob Russo says
What an amazing woman with such a full life! And, what an inspiration! She contributed so much to quality of life in Butte and Montana in general. And, I appreciate her love and devotion to her children and grandchildren. I extend my condolences to the entire family and to her sister, Susan, who I know from my days living in Missoula.