Born March 23, 1928 in Pekin to John Edwin and Lillian Laura (Fischer) Maltby, she married Harold Wayne Kennedy on August 27, 1950 in Forest City. He died March 29, 2008 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one son-in-law, John Fortney.
Surviving are one son, Steve (Renee) Kennedy of Rockford; one daughter, Karen Fortney of Pekin; two grandchildren, Emily Kennedy and Hayden Kennedy, both of Rockford; one sister, Glenna Lohnes of Pekin; many nephews and nieces and many other relatives and friends.
Mary had worked as a secretary at the American Distilling Company, Pekin Insurance and the Pekin Daily Times.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where she participated in the Roadrunners Group, Church Choir, and the church’s Living Christmas Tree. She also was a member of the Women’s Missionary Circle and the Pekin Camping Club.
Mary enjoyed sewing, painting, crafting, camping and singing. She will be remembered as someone who was kind and friendly; she made friends easily and never met anyone she did not like.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Brad Martin will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday morning at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church of Pekin, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
