Katherine Barnard Kennedy

Born on August 9, 1927 in Natick, Massachusetts to Greek immigrant parents, Peter and Maria Vergos, Katherine was raised in a Greek-American household along with her sister, Irene. Her dad owned Puritan restaurant, where she enjoyed his homemade ice cream and bon-bon candies, and worked after school. She loved the juke box, as well as all the high school kids that would come into the restaurant every Friday night after the football games.

Katherine graduated from Natick High School in 1945, and from Chandler Secretarial School in 1947. Her first job after high school was at the State House in Boston as an Administrative Secretary. It is at a State House dance where she met her husband, Francis (Frank) Henry Barnard. They wed on October 23, 1949 in New York City at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and held their reception at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel.

In November 1953, they welcomed their first child, Marie (Doreen), in Natick. In 1955, they moved to San Diego before settling in Torrance, California. Katherine worked at TRW for two years until they welcomed their second child, Anthony (Kirk), in January 1959. Despite being told Katherine could not have any more children, she welcomed their third child, Victoria (Vickie) Ann, in June 1961. Katherine was a devoted and supportive wife, and a loving and caring mother. As her children grew, she went back to work as an Administrative Secretary for Siemens Corporation. The family was actively involved at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach, California, from the inception of the church. Throughout her lifetime, Katherine served in many positions on the Church Board, the ladies Philoptochos Society and The Daughters of Penelope, and volunteered as a GOYA parent advisor and at the yearly Greek Festival.

In December 1989, her husband Frank passed away. Six years later, while attending another dance, she met William (Bill) Kennedy, who she married in November 1995 at St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Las Vegas. During their marriage, they lived in Nevada and Arizona before returning to Torrance. Bill passed away in December 2009. In November 2013, after Katherine’s health started to decline, she moved into the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Frank Cerrito. Throughout the remainder of her lifetime, Katherine loved going to musical plays, Sunday church services, Senior Citizen and D.O.P. meetings, and playing weekly card games with her good friend Anne Eliopulos.

She is survived by her beloved children Doreen Daywalt (Lester±), Kirk Barnard (Terri), and Vickie Cerrito (Frank); treasured grandchildren Jennifer (Dennis), Shane (Jennie), Angela (Austin), Rene’±, Krystyna (Adam), Katherine (Jacob), and Courtlynn; and great-grandchildren Dakota, Makenzie, Brett, Coralin, Ryan, Matthew, Jasmine, Payton, Grayson, and Evelyn.

Her friends and family will miss her deeply and will carry cherished memories of her loving warmth and her amazing Spanakopita! A funeral will be held at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church or the St. Katherine Foundation located at 722 Knob Hill in Redondo Beach.