Rose Mary Kennedy

Rose Mary was born May 17, 1927 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the oldest daughter of Samuel and Eileen Thielepape, and sister to Eileen, Sam and Marge. She spent her childhood in Austin, and when the family moved to Houston, she graduated from St Agnes Academy in 1944. Rose Mary met the love of her life, Robert Allen Kennedy, at the University of Texas, and they tied the knot on June 11, 1949 in Austin. They were married for 55 years.

Rose Mary and Bob moved to Dallas in 1954, where they had an active life raising nine children, three of whom had Muscular Dystrophy. Rose Mary was a strong advocate for their three youngest sons through MDA and community involvement. Several of their older children were counselors at MDA summer camp. Rose Mary often went “straight to the top” to make things happen for all their kids. The family took road trips to California, Arkansas and Florida and had many other adventures together. The parents ensured that their children received a solid education at St Monica School, Ursuline Academy and Jesuit. Rose Mary and Bob were devout Catholics and active members of St. Monica Church. Rose Mary was the matriarch of the family.

After Bob’s retirement from Texas Utilities in 1992, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they spent the next 12 years in the mountains and being together. For many years, they participated in the Senior Olympics - Bob in the cycling events and Rose Mary tap dancing in the talent show. They also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Barrett House, Catholic Charities and MDA, and they enjoyed travelling to Alaska, Greece, Italy and Nova Scotia.

After Bob’s death in 2004, Rose Mary moved to her own home in Teravista in Round Rock, where she lived independently for ten years. She loved to entertain family and friends, and she often said, “God planted me in the right place.” Rose Mary taught tap dance at the Baca Senior Center in Round Rock; she participated in many volunteer activities, and especially enjoyed her time at The Caring Place in Georgetown.

Rose Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her sister, Marge Gibbens; her three youngest sons, Shawn, Jason and Jeffrey and her oldest daughter, Kathy Haigler. She is survived by daughters, Ellen Kennedy (and husband Brad Stutzman) of Georgetown; CarolAnneRose Kennedy (and friend Roy Marshall) and Suzanne Kennedy of Austin; son, Chris Kennedy of Citra, Florida; and daughter, Colleen Kennedy of Helotes. Also surviving her are her sister, Eileen Hunt of Georgetown and brother, Sam Thielepape of Hutto; son-in-law, Billy Haigler and granddaughter, Sadie Haigler of Pippa Passes, Kentucky; grandson, Jarod Kennedy and great-grandsons, Dominic and Julian Kennedy of Austin.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2017 with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, in Pflugerville, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2700 E. University Ave., (Exit Hwy 29) in Georgetown, Texas. Reception following.

Burial service will be at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas at 11 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2017. Reception will follow at St. Monica Catholic Church activity center from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The Kennedy family would like to thank their extended family and friends for their love and support throughout the years. They would also like to express gratitude to the compassionate staff at Serenity personal care home in Pflugerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, St Jude Hospital, Camp John Marc, Muscular Dystrophy Association or the Baca Senior Center.

Please visit Rose Mary’s memorial site at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you may share condolences and memories.