Donna Marie Kennedy's Obituary
Donna Marie Kennedy
Donna M. Kennedy 80, long time Midland area resident, passed away August 6, 2010, in Tacoma, Washington surrounded by her family and friends. She was born June 8, 1930 in Woodland, Washington, the daughter of the late John and Rachel Lawson. She was the eldest of two siblings. Upon graduation in 1949 from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, she went on to further schooling and became a legal assistant for a major law firm in Tacoma. On August 25, 1950, she married Herbert Alexander Kennedy Jr., who preceded her in death in 1986. After the birth of her two children, son Rick in 1951 and daughter Cheryl in 1953, she gave up her legal career to be a homemaker and business partner to her husband, Herb, throughout their 36 year marriage.
She is survived by her brother Joe Lawson of Midland, son and daughter-in-law Rick & Laurie Kennedy of Summit, daughter and son-in-law Cheryl & Don Jacobus of Puyallup, and grandchildren Jason & Julie Kennedy, Kimberly & Jesse Kosa, Marcus Kennedy & Jen Parker, and Matt Jacobus. She had five precious great-grandchildren who all referred to her as Gigi; Hailea Kosa, Tyler Jacobus, Jaden Kosa, Ethan Kennedy, and Riley Jacobus. Also survived by sisters-in-law, brother-in-law and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and preceded in death by her late traveling partner and companion LT CMDR Lawrence Seaman, USN Ret.
All those who loved her know what a wonderful gift she was to all of us, whose memories will be held near to our hearts forever.
Memorial service to be held in the Valley Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 4, 2010.
Donna Marie Kennedy was a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother (Gigi), coach, mentor, cheerleader, supporter and revered friend to her entire family and those who were blessed to know her.
She lived in her home in Midland 60 years that she and her husband Herb built. Just recently moved in with her daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Don in Puyallup. During her life in Midland she took breakfast to her husband and helped with bookkeeping at the Richfield/Arco station for 19 years. Her home was decorated for every holiday. Fresh cookies were always in the cookie jar for others to enjoy. Donna was not only a wife and best friend but constant companion to Herb throughout their extensive travels and later nurse throughout his 18 month very unusual and fatal illness. She had participated in many activities and had numerous talents; Accordion player, Campfire leader, PTA, Midland Orthopedic Guild member, Bowling League, flower arranger, Avid Cake Decorator, reading tutor at Spanaway Elementary where she was called -Å"Grandma K.- by all students and volunteered in Kim's classroom and numerous other volunteer efforts.
She loved to go camping, tole paint, dance, bake, cook, and collect cookbooks. She also enjoyed going out to eat and being with friends during her -Å"Fireladies- lunches. Going to Grandma's meant being surrounded by imagination, creativity and love. She made lasting and revered memories for her four grandchildren with her Rainy Day Picnics, Grandma Pity Poo Parlor, camping in the backyard, swimming and countless other adventures. She continued to pass on these joys to her five great-grandchildren until the day of her passing.
She -Å"tolerated- everyone's animals, but was never a huge fan herself. Never a bad word about anyone she knew. She loved and lived life to its fullest and shared bonds that will never be broken and forever cherished. We love you and miss you dearly Wife, Mom, Sister, Grandma, Gigi, Auntie and friend.
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