Joan Kennedy Bates

She is survived by her son Christopher Bates, Brownsburg (wife Susie); daughter Michele, Indianapolis; daughter Mary Anne McCaslin, Muncie, IN (husband Stephen); grandchildren Caitlyn, Brianna, Ian, Colin, and Delaney McCaslin; brother Patrick Kennedy, Austin, TX; brother James Kennedy, Rockhill, SC (wife Pinky). She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Bates, brother Thomas Kennedy(wife Dorothy), brother Michael and brother Fr. Edward Kennedy.

Joan Kennedy Bates was born on August 2nd, 1930 to Thomas Charles and Mary Farrell Kennedy in Lafayette, Indiana. Joan was the third child out of five and their only girl. She graduated from St. Francis High School, Lafayette, IN in 1948 and quickly entered St. Vincent’s nurses training in Indianapolis. Joan graduated as nurse in 1951. She worked in various some as a nurse for 62 years, whether as a nurse in hospitals, the war department, industrial settings, doctors offices, including Dr. Kirkhoff’s on the Eastside, or reviewing medical documents. She retired fulltime from Eli Lilly in 1990.

In 1955 Joan was introduced to her future husband Leonard by her friend Dolores (Bates) Clark. Joan and Leonard married in 1956 and had three children, Christopher, Michele, and Mary Anne.

Joan was a long time member of St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church where she could be found serving her faith as a Eucharistic Minister, visiting the sick, and frequently driving fellow parishioners to mass. She was very proud of her Irish heritage as a second generation American and could always be found wearing green in March. Joan enjoyed making a personal connection with every person she met. She loved spending time with family, especially her five grandchildren, an ice cold Miller Lite, and a hearty laugh.

Visitation will be 2-6 Sunday at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 Shadeland Ave. A Rosary Service will begin at 6 Sunday at the funeral home. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am Monday at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 550 N Rural St. with prayers at 9:30 at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Donations can be made in memory of Joan to Miracle Place or Caring Place.