Marguerite “Midge” Kennedy died peacefully at Harrogate Retirement Community in Lakewood, New Jersey, after a long and vibrant life. She was one-month shy of her 94th birthday. Midge (nee Marguerite Marie DeMartine) was born to Albert DeMartine and Margaret Kenny in Brooklyn, New York. A wonderful childhood followed in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where she was later joined by sisters Joanne and Anne.
Midge attended high school at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After school, she worked as an apprentice in a milliner shop, creating hats for women in post-World War II. Over the decades that followed, Midge remained close to her Holy Angels classmates and would meet them regularly for lunch reunions and, more recently, via Zoom. Just last year, she celebrated her 75th high school reunion with friends from the Class of 1948.
After graduation, Midge attended Donovan Business College which led to a career as a proofreader for McGraw Hill Publishers in New York City. While commuting to the city, Midge was “discovered” as a dark-haired beauty and was runner up in the 1950 Miss Subways contest.
In 1952, Midge married the one true love of her life, Arthur “Art” Kennedy. Soon after, they built the first of their two homes in the Ramsey Golf & Country Club where they had four daughters (Michele, Sharyn, Colleen, and Laura) and made lifelong friends with whom they would golf, play bridge, and vacation “down the shore.” Decades of summers spent in Barnegat Light would provide Midge with endearing memories for the rest of her life.
It wasn’t until 1971 that Midge and Art welcomed their long-awaited son, Arthur “Kyle,” whose birth prompted the closing of all Kennedy Construction projects for days of celebration.
Sadly, Art died of cancer on Father’s Day in 1982. Midge became a widow at the age of 51 and never remarried. In 1997, she moved to South Carolina where she designed and built her third home. She quickly enjoyed the slower pace of life and culture of Hilton Head Island and the low county.
In 2016, Midge moved to Harrogate where she would be closer to family and the Jersey shore she loved. Here, she made new friendships and kept active on numerous committees to include the Building and Grounds Committee, Garden Club, and Residents’ Council.
Midge’s talents were many. During her life, she had a deep passion for gardening. She had a keen eye for art design and, along with her friend Mary Kay MacArthur, opened a frame shop in New Jersey. With a love of home design and construction, she applied her skills as a realtor.
Midge was an accomplished seamstress and knitter and was an aspiring engineer and architect. Through her gardens, art, and handcrafted creations, Midge’s life was fulfilled by bringing beauty to the world.
Midge is preceded in death by her husband, Art; her sister, Joanne; and her daughter, Laura. She is survived by her sister Anne Robinson (Frank); her children Michele Lindsay (Jake), Sharyn Amoroso (Mark), Colleen Kennedy (Jim Akers), and Kyle Kennedy (Sonya). She loved her six grandchildren (Arthur Scott, Kevin, Hillary, Claire, Arthur Finnegan, and Colin); step grandson (Erik); two step great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.
Her family also includes many nieces and nephews from the Martine and Kennedy families who lovingly called her “Aunt Midge” and “Aunt M.” She was proud of all her family members and would delight in telling stories of their accomplishments and contributions.
Midge’s strength, determination, and independent spirit will remain an inspiration to us all.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Glaucoma Foundation.org. Midge would also smile from above if you planted flowers or a shrub in your own garden, as a lasting tribute to her memory.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Paul’s Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey, New Jersey.
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