Tessa Kenny

In Loving Memory of Tessa L. Alford (Kenny)

October 4, 1973 – July 16, 2026

With broken hearts, we share the passing of our beloved sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend, Tessa L. Alford (Kenny), who passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 52.

There are some people who leave a mark on every life they touch. Tessa was one of those people.

She had the biggest heart of anyone you could ever hope to meet. If you needed help, she was there. If you were hurting, she was there. If life knocked you down, Tessa would be the first person standing beside you, helping you get back on your feet. Her loyalty ran deep, and the people she loved never had to wonder where they stood with her.

Tessa loved fiercely and completely, especially when it came to her family. Her children, Brent, Brittney, and Kayla, were her pride and joy. Becoming a grandmother brought her even more happiness, and she treasured every moment she spent with Braelyn, AJ, and Charlie. She never missed an opportunity to brag about them, love them, or make them smile.

Tessa’s compassion extended far beyond her family. Through her work at a doctor’s office, she became much more than an employee to the people she cared for. She was often a source of comfort, encouragement, and support. Her patients knew they could count on her for a listening ear, loving advice, a reassuring smile, and a shoulder to lean on during difficult times. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Life tested Tessa more than once, but she met every challenge with determination and courage. She fought breast cancer and won, carrying that same strength into her support of Pink Heals and others facing their own battles. She was living proof that toughness and kindness can exist in the same person.

Anyone who knew Tessa knew she also had a sense of humor that could light up a room. Her sarcasm was legendary, her comebacks were quick, and her ability to make people laugh was one of her greatest gifts. Even on difficult days, she could find a way to bring a smile to someone’s face.

She was also a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan. During football season, it wasn’t enough to simply watch the game—Tessa could usually be found standing directly in front of the television yelling at the Chiefs as if they could hear every word. Given how loud she could get, we’re not entirely convinced they couldn’t.

One of the countless stories that captures who she was happened years ago when she drove all the way to Wisconsin while seven months pregnant just to help family move. That was Tessa. No excuses. No hesitation. She simply showed up when people needed her.

She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. She shared a special bond with her lifelong friends, Kim Johnson and Sherry Burcham, whose friendship remained a treasured part of her life through the years. She also adored her loyal companion, Dozer, who was never far from her side.

Tessa is survived by her parents, Sandra and Claude; her children, Brent, Brittney, and Kayla; her grandchildren, Braelyn, AJ, and Charlie; her brothers, Matthew, Chad, and Clayton; her sister, Teresa; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whose lives are better because she was part of them.

She was preceded in death by her Grandfather Lester, Grandmother Beverly, Aunt Kim, Aunt Jo Anne, Uncle Dennis, and other loved ones who welcomed her home.

The world feels a little less bright without Tessa in it. Her absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled, but her love, laughter, strength, and generosity will live on in the stories we share, the lessons she taught us, and the countless lives she touched.

If you were lucky enough to know Tessa, then you know that her greatest legacy is not found in what she had, but in how she made people feel—loved, accepted, supported, and never alone.

We will miss her every day, carry her in our hearts forever, and find comfort in knowing that the love she gave so freely will continue to live on through all of us.