Hennessy worked as an artist for over two decades, teaching classes, leading workshops and retreats, publishing four books

NEED TO KNOW

• Alena Hennessy, an artist and influencer, has died at age 48, her Instagram account announced on Sept. 18
• Hennessy worked as an artist for over two decades, teaching classes, leading workshops and retreats, and publishing four books
• The post announcing her death added that Hennessy was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June and was told by doctors at the time that she had a two-month life expectancy

Alena Hennessy, an artist and influencer, has died. She was 48.

Her death was announced in an Instagram post on Sept. 18, which said that the late creative “passed away peacefully this September 2026 surrounded by family, crossing over into a new bloom.”

According to her website, Hennessy worked as an artist for over two decades and considered it her life’s work to “open people up to the rich understanding that they are gifted just as they are.” She taught classes, led workshops and retreats, published four books and maintained a following of over 50,000 on her Instagram account.

The post announcing her death added that Hennessy was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June and was told by doctors that she had a two-month life expectancy.

“As her journey unfolded quickly, she asked for as much privacy as possible, and she chose her path toward crossing over as intentionally as she lived her life, with deep reverence, love, and awe,” the post read.

The post added that her family is planning to hold a memorial in the spring and will make future announcements about memorial plans on her Instagram account.

“In the meantime, we invite you into Alena’s magnificent world of creative beauty, as a way to feel closer to her in this season of collective grief, and to see her light forever moving through us all,” the post added. “We welcome your photos and thoughts online, offered with love to Alena and her greater community at this time.  While comments and messages will remain open we thank you for understanding that the family will be in recovery and quiet at this time.”

In the comments of the post, friends and followers of Hennessy shared tributes.

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“Alena was such a beautiful soul with a bright light,” wrote artist Andrea Garvey. “She was one of my first teachers when I started dabbling in art again – on an art retreat in Petaluma. I continued to follow her and be inspired by her beauty and art.”

“So incredibly sad,” penned Krista J. Brock, another artist. “She was beauty, light, and inspired so many artists.”

“This is absolutely shocking and incredibly sad,” shared artist and creative writer Kasia Avery. “Alena was a bright, beautiful person and she will be deeply missed by our creative community.”

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