Netterilla May Kenney

Netterilla “Trilla” May Kenney passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024. Up until the end, Trilla maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. 

She was born to the late Howard and Elizabeth James, on April 19, 1943, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and raised in Phoenix, Arizona along with three brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Phoenix Union High School and attend Phoenix Community College.  She participated in team sports during her youth and excelled in track & field and bowling. 

She married the late Wallace Lee Kenney Sr in 1969, and they lived together in Tucson, Arizona for ten years before relocating to the Casa Grande area in 1980. 

Trilla is survived by three children: Wallace Kenney Jr., Howard Kenney, and Charles Kenney, three daughters-in-law; Amanda, Aubri, and Adriane and one sister, Laverne “Sis” McCuen. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren. 

Trilla was preceded in death by her loving husband in 2004, three brothers, Ronald James, Burt James and Bob James and a sister, Nancy Edwards. 

Trilla had a passion for helping and supporting her family and students succeed. She was employed by the Casa Grand Union School district for almost two decades where she worked diligently to ensure all students were given every opportunity to thrive, grow and reach their full potential. She always said, “there are no bad children, just challenging parents.”  After retirement, she found a new passion in harassing her neighbors and making sure they walked the line. She looked forward to checking the mail daily, to see which neighbors were outside so she could strike up a conversation and brag about her grandchildren. 

A funeral service is scheduled for 9:30am on March 26, 2024, at The Gardens Chapel, 525 N. Peart Rd. in Casa Grande followed by a burial service to be held starting at 2:00pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, located in Cave Creek at 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. 

In lieu of flowers, Trilla would prefer a donation to the Casa Grande Union high School District in her name.