Henrietta Kennedy

Henrietta Ruth Kennedy, 91, passed away Sunday November 22, 2009 as the result of a stroke suffered on November 2, 2009. As she wished, and with the help of Hospice, she died in her beloved home in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where she has lived since 1953, first with her husband and family, then independently.

She was born in Bellefontaine on February 20, 1918, the youngest child and only daughter of Jacob Emmanuel and Arizona (Segrist) Kachele. She married James Arthur Kennedy on September 17, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He preceded her in death in 1987, and she was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers; Clarence, John, Jacob, and Robert.

She graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1937 and attended business school in Cleveland before working for Merchants Industries in Bellefontaine. For several years in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, she had her own thrift shop for second-hand clothing called “NX to NU” in Bellefontaine, and earlier had worked at Wynan’s Bakery and for Ray Hennessey.

Henrietta’s friendships ranged widely in age and background, reflecting the spectrum of her interests, including art, golf (which she still played at age 90), and cards. She was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine for over 70 years, and was a founding member and President for several years of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. She was also a member of the Ladies Altar and Rosary Sodality, the Catholic Ladies of Columbia, the Logan County Art League, the Art Club of Bellefontaine, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and the “500” card club.

Henrietta’s greatest interest and joy was her family, and is survived by her five children, Mary Elizabeth (Bob) Rackmales of Northport, Maine; James Arthur (Susan) Kennedy, Jr. of Hanover, Pennsylvania; Michael John (Karen) Kennedy of Bellefontaine; Kathleen Patricia Kennedy of Urbana, Ohio; Christopher Jerome (Katy) Kennedy of Columbus, Ohio; sixteen grandchildren, each of whom honored her with their presence and care in her last days, for which she was deeply grateful, and thirteen great-grandchildren. She loved family gatherings at Christmas and other holidays, and recalled fondly the family’s “Rummy-O” nights, with as many children and grandchildren as possible gathered around the big dining room table for cards and laughter. “It was so much fun,” she said and added, “I love life.”

The family is grateful for the compassionate care of the team from Universal Hospice, Dr. Kenneth Miller and other doctors and Oak Hill Medical Center. The family especially thanks Susan Holycross, whose friendship and help added so much to Henrietta’s quality of life in her last years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00A.M. Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine, with Rev. Patrick Sheridan as celebrant and Rev. Joseph Bruetsch as con-celebrant. Calling hours will be Tuesday, November 24, 2009, from 2 P.M. to 4P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. The St. Vincent DePaul Society will lead a Rosary service at 4:00P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society % St. Patrick Catholic Church 328 E. Patterson Ave. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311; NAMI Of Ohio 747 East Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 43205; or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences to the family may be expressed from www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com

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