Betty Jane Kennedy - Obituary

etty Jane Kennedy, 88, a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living of Severna Park, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2017 in the presence and comfort of her family and caregivers. Born on April 13, 1929 in Erie, PA to the late Jack and Hilda Michaels, Betty dedicated her life to her family and friends. She graduated from Millcreek High School in 1947 and married the love of her life, Charles Kennedy, three years later. She was an amazing woman who did a wonderful and, some would say, remarkable job raising four children. Betty traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe with her husband, living abroad for a while in Germany and England. Upon their return from England, Betty and Charles settled at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis which suited their outgoing lifestyle. Betty was a member of the Women’s Red Hat Society and enjoyed dabbling in the antique business. She loved to play cards; her favorite game was bridge. Betty and Charles played bridge as a couple and participated in a number of bridge clubs. Betty was also fond of hosting and attending bridge clubs with other women. She especially enjoyed being the hostess, setting up her card tables, baking little cakes and appetizers, and setting out candy, nuts and chips, frequently for up to 16 players. Betty was an exceptional cook who always made her guests feel special; they often left her home with a full belly and sometimes a little tipsy. Whether living in Arlington, VA, Seabrook, MD, Frankfurt, Germany, Menwith Hill, England or Heritage Harbour, Betty and Charles enjoyed many friends, and both maintained a very active and social life. In parting, we think Betty would have said that while we share life’s joys and pains today, we should focus less on the pain and remember more clearly the joy. Betty is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Charles; four children, Chuck (Maria Chaput) Kennedy, Jeff (Susie) Kennedy, Kathy (Jimmy) Delio and Gail Kennedy; one sister, Susan Smith; six grandchildren, Chuck, Bob, Jennifer, Christopher, Jeffrey and Ronnie; and four great-grandchildren, Abby, Sullivan, Harrison and Rylee. Betty also leaves behind the large and affectionate “Erie Kennedy Family” she married into so many years ago. Friends are invited to celebrate Betty’s life with her family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 29 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD. Burial will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org/how-donate.