Obituary of Cornelia G. Kinney

Cornelia Garvin Kinney "Neil" of Syracuse passed away peacefully Sunday, May 1, 2022. She was born in Oneida, New York October 1921, the daughter of Thomas A and Agnes Garvin.

Neil attended St. Patrick’s School, and graduated from Oneida High School with an academic Regents diploma, and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Marywood University Scranton ,PA.

Her teaching career began at Minoa High School, WC Mepham Central High School in Bellmore Long Island, and Assistant Dean and teacher at Edgewood Park Junior College in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Upon returning to Syracuse, she worked for the Surgical and Pathology departments at Upstate Medical School, and assisted teaching at local high schools and Maria Regina Junior College.

She met and married the love of her life John C. Kinney (of Bond Schoeneck & King) in 1953. Neil attended St. Ann’s church for many years and recently attended Most Holy Rosary. She was a member of Bellevue Country Club and Auxiliary of Upstate Medical Center. She enjoyed all sports, especially golf and tennis.  Among her favorite past times were playing bridge and serving as a role model offering guidance to countless family and friends.  

She is survived by her six children Cornelia Reilly (Dr. John), Mary Jane Kinney (Joseph Lawton), John “ Duke” Kinney (Billie Jean),  Donald T. Kinney, Dr. Genevieve Kinney (Dr.  Anthony Stefanou), Benedict J. Kinney ( Kimberly).  Several grandchildren Jack Reilly (Julie), Mary Emma Clendenny (Ryan), Patrick A. Reilly (Dr. Rachel), Benedict J and Cornelia Ann Reilly, Joseph  J. C. Lawton and Johanna M. Lawton, Jaclyn Kinney (Chris Boch), Megan Cornelia Kinney, Mia Stefanou, Fallon B. Kinney, Garvin Kinney, and great grandsons Henry and George Clendenny, John and Jameson Reilly, and numerous adored nieces and nephews.

Neil was predeceased by her husband Jack in 1974, her parents, and five sisters. Johanna Cannon, Patricia Sartorius Russell, Kitty Garvin, Rosemary Naab, and Therese Larned Lambert. Also her in-laws Syracuse Police Chief John A. and Arlene Kinney, brother-in-law Don W. Kinney and sister-in-law Mary Kinney.

Neil was delighted to have celebrated her centennial birthday and savored all the well wishes and visitors that came along with the milestone.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday May 13, 2022 at 10am at Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave. Calling hours will be held thursday May 12, 2022 at church from 4-7pm. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt.

In lieu of flowers Neil’s request was to do an act of kindness for someone else in her memory.