Mary Kennedy

Mary Kennedy (nee Emerson): On December 1, 1926, Mary Kennedy was born in London, England, youngest child and only daughter of Maude and William Emerson, and for the next 89 years lived a beautiful life of grace and love and selfless devotion to her family and her Catholic faith. In 1949, at the age of 23, Mary immigrated to the USA to be with her fiancée and future husband, John (deceased 1998), after surviving the loss of her Dad before she was born; her brothers being placed in an orphanage for more than ten years; the Great Depression; being evacuated for several years as a child from her family and home to the countryside during World War II; and the loss of her dear brother Georgie, just 19-years-old, on a covert mission for the RAF during the war. Her devoted eldest brother, William, a friend and confidant, also pre-deceases her. Those who met or knew Mary were touched by her grace, compassion, and cheeky sense of humor. Mom not only raised her seven children, she proudly became a U.S. citizen, an irrepressible Teamster (Local 710), and continued as a devoted member of the Daughters of the British Empire. On October 2, 2016, nearly 90 years after she was born and 3,945 miles from her place of birth, Mary passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving and grateful family. Mary and John’s seven children are Maureen, Theresa, Patricia (Daniel Gainer), Michael, John (Marilynn), Sheila (George Gibbs) and Brian (Cheryl). Mary was a loving Nana to fifteen wonderful grandchildren: Mary (Steve Talbot), Peter, and Matthew (Zickus); Daniel (Lynn), Megan, Patrick, and Ryan (Kate) (Gainer); Jessica, Joshua and Colleen (Kennedy); Hannah and Liam (Gibbs); and Sean, Sara and Lily (Kennedy); and to her great-grandchildren: Riley and Mason (Talbot); Danny, Nora and James (Gainer); and Kenzie (Diaz). Mary was also a beloved aunt, cousin, and friend to so many, here and abroad. Visitation Thursday from 4-9 p.m. at the Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home, 10727 S. Pulaski, Chicago, IL, 60655. Funeral Mass Friday 10:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 3650 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL. 60805. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Misericordia Home, 6300 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660 in Mary’s name would be greatly appreciated. For information please call 1-773-783-7700 or visit www.andrewmcgann.com