Jean Emily (Townsend) Kennedy

Jean Emily Kennedy 
March 3, 1923 - March 10, 2018

In loving memory of Jean Emily Kennedy who passed away peacefully March 10, 2018 in her ninety fifth year.
Jean “Jeannie” was born March 3rd 1923 in Kona, Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii to Jennie and Harold Townsend. In 1925 the young family returned to Vancouver where brother Colin was born in 1929. As a young adult, like many women during wartime, Jean joined The Royal Canadian Navy. This career was brief as she soon met and married Don Sax, left the ocean behind and began to raise a family. When the marriage dissolved, Jean, with her two sons and daughter found themselves in Edmonton. Here they would meet Bill Kennedy and his son.
In March of 1954 William Alexander Kennedy and Jean Emily Townsend were married.
Norman Alexander Kennedy, Gary Donald Kennedy, Lory Edward Kennedy, Mary Jean Kennedy and Bill and Jean became a blended family taking up residence in Camrose, Alberta. Janet Ann Kennedy was born in 1956. Within the year Jean and Bill moved their family of five to a rural acreage to experience country life. A decade later, they returned to their house in town.  Through those years, the family regularly visited her ocean home on the coast.
Jean worked several jobs before finding her niche with Canada Post, where she remained until her retirement in 1988. Active with family, friends, and community, her strongest commitment was to the Royal Canadian Legion.  With Bill and Jean, Legion was a way of life.   She served her local Camrose Branch # 57 in many capacities over the years. Election to the post of District Commander was a highlight. The position took her on many road trips visiting Legions all over Alberta  and further afield. She was recipient of many service awards and accolades before and after a life membership was bestowed in 1988.
In retirement years Jean and Bill enjoyed many road trips visiting family from British Columbia to Manitoba. Jean loved to drive and logged countless, safe miles at the wheel whatever the conditions or circumstances. They often took along a friend, or a grandchild or two.
Through all those years the Camrose home was the hub of Holiday Festivities, Birthday Celebrations and general family visits and gatherings. Following Bill’s death in 1997 Jean remained in her home until 2005 when she relocated to Wetaskiwin permanently.
Jean had a lifelong relationship with animals and had many furred, feathered and finned companions throughout her life. In later years she enjoyed the birdfeeder outside her window at The Good Shepherd Home
Jean is survived by sons; Norman (Deb) and Lory (Giselle), daughters; Janet and Jane, sister-in-law; Ruth (Colin), eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren.

Jean is predeceased by son, Gary, husband Bill, brother Colin, mother and father, and many friends.                                                                                                         
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where, don’t know when
But I know
We’ll meet again some bright and sunny day.

​Memorial Service

Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

​Royal Canadian Legion, Wetaskiwin, Alberta

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