Mary Brewster Kennedy

Mary Brewster Kennedy of Cambridge and Tisbury, MA died following a stroke on Nov. 16, 2011 in Cambridge. She was 97. She was the daughter of Florence Besse Brewster Ballantine and Kingman Brewster, Sr. and the step-daughter of Edward Ballantine. She was the only sister of the late Kingman Brewster, Jr., President of Yale University and Ambassador to the Court of St. James.

Mrs. Kennedy grew up in Longmeadow, MA. She was a graduate of Miss Hall’s School and Smith College, Class of 1936. While a graduate student at the University of Chicago in 1939, she met and married Carvel E.Collins, who became a professor of American Literature at M.I.T. and an authority on William Faulkner. Surviving her are her daughter, Lucy E. Collins, M.D. and son-in-law, Harry Davidow of New York City and Tisbury, MA, a step-granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

After divorce, Mrs. Kennedy married Robert Woods Kennedy, a Cambridge architect, in 1958. Her three Kennedy step-sons: Duncan (Mopsy) of Cambridge, David (Nadia) of Montclair, NJ, Charles of San Diego, CA, seven step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive her. She is also survived by five Brewster nieces and nephews, devoted friends and many cousins of the Besse “clan”.

Mrs. Kennedy ran her own design business, Kennedy Interiors, in Cambridge until age 87. A devoted member and past president of the Cambridge Plant and Garden Club, she also served the City of Cambridge as a Conservation Commissioner and as a member of the Committee for Public Planting. Among other projects, she was instrumental in developing the jogging trail around the Fresh Pond Reservoir.

She loved travel, the fine arts and design, classical music, gardens and Martha’s Vineyard. Known for her beauty, discerning taste and progressive social values, she faced the many challenges of her 97 years with grace, charm and forbearance. A beloved matriarch to her “blended” family, she served as a formidable example to all of us.

Burial will be private in Oak Grove Cemetery, Longmeadow, MA. A memorial service is being planned for the spring. Contributions in her memory should be directed to the Cambridge Plant and Garden Club Tree Fund.