Kathleen Kennedy was born on November 23, 1908, one of eight children born to Samuel and Theresa (Hackett) Vassau. They were raised on a dairy farm near Amery, Wisconsin. At a young age she contracted spinal meningitis and her parents were told by her doctor she was the sickest child he had ever seen. She survived and at the age of 4 only weighed 18 pounds and had to learn to walk again. Kathleen wasn't ill again until she was in her nineties, rarely even having a cold.
When Kathleen was 20 and going to business school, she married her brother's friend, Dougald Fay Kennedy (Fay) an aspiring lawyer. Fay was also raised on an Amery dairy farm and mill. Together they had six children. They were married for 42 years before Fay's death.
Kathleen spent her life as a home maker, a job she took very seriously, working from early morning until bed time on the home front. Her home was always meticulous and her fame as a cook was known by both friends and family. She was especially remembered for her home made pies, rolls and gravies which have not been able to be duplicated. Kathleen made many of the families clothes and knit their mittens. She was a quiet, unasuming woman who spent her leisure time gardening, embroidering, reading and golfing with occasional outings for bridge groups or dinners with the couple's poker club.
Kathleen was the rock of the family, helping the family emotionally, financially and spiritually through the crisis of their lives, never asking for anything in return. Her great trust in God gave her quiet strength. We were so proud of the way she led her life, totally independent into her nineties. We learned by her example about God, love, endurance and grace. Kathleen died in Tucson, Arizona on Thursday July 8, 2010 at the age of 101 years. She will be sorely missed for the unconditional love she gave.
Her parents, husband Fay Kennedy, her baby Barbara and daughter Nancy Little and seven siblings preceded her in death. Left to mourn are her children: Jim Kennedy, Pat Christensen, Liz Kottwitz and Gina Lane-Olsson. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.