Tri-City Cremation Services - Kitchener 519-772-1237 Cambridge 519-267-7199
  • Home
  • About
  • Cremation
  • Burial
  • Preplanning
  • Grief Resources
  • Obituaries & Condolences
  • Contact

​

Helen Elizabeth Kennedy

6/28/2022

20 Comments

 
Picture
With great sadness, but gratitude for a long life well-lived, Helen’s family announces her passing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Helen was born in Kitchener on May 27, 1928 to William (Bill) and Priscilla (Sparky) Leis and spent her entire 94-year life in a city she was proud to call home. She married Louis Kennedy (died 1997) in 1949 and started on a journey she excelled at as a wife, mother to nine children, grandmother to 19 and great-grandmother to 12.

Her family meant everything to her and she was often heard bragging about her large clan. Loving, kind, thoughtful and honest, she was an incredible role model for her family. She was the kind of person who shared everything she had and welcomed anyone to her home. The Kennedy family Christmas gatherings on Waterloo Street were legendary, with dozens of visitors dropping in. There was always enough for everyone.

She loved to bake and there was rarely a day when there weren’t fresh cookies for after-school snacks or pies and cakes for dessert on the table. Cooking, cleaning and caring for a large family was more than a full-time job. Knitting was her passion, having made hundreds of pairs of slippers and mittens, sweaters and baby clothes. Her hands were never still with her knitting needles clacking away every evening.

After raising her children, Helen went out to work as one of the “cafeteria ladies” at KCI. She loved working at the school she attended in the 1940s and all of her children attended in the ‘60s and ‘70s. If she knew of a student who didn’t have enough to pay for lunch, she would quietly dip into her own pocket to make sure they had something to eat. That’s the kind of lady Helen was.

Forever loved and remembered by her daughters Catherine Owens (late Marv 1998), Janet Kennedy (pre-deceased her in 2009), Shirlee Kennedy (Garnet Dobsky), Barbara Kennedy, Karen Lawrence (Bruce) and her sons Robert Kennedy (Linda), Bruce Kennedy (Donna), Douglas Kennedy and Richard Kennedy (Elaine).

Grandma will be sadly missed and always loved by her 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Helen was pre-deceased by her granddaughters Julie Owens and Jaclyn Saunders.

Have a good long rest Mom, you earned it!

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be planned for a future date. Donations may be made to St. Marks Place.

Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Helen's obituary notice on Facebook.
20 Comments
Anna Suljak
6/29/2022 07:46:52 pm

To Bruce and Donna and the rest of the Kennedy family please accept my deepest sympathy

Reply
Anna Suljak link
7/1/2022 02:48:42 pm

Thankyou Anna

Reply
Peter Horner
6/30/2022 11:23:46 am

The Horner family (Guelph, friend of Colleen) are saddened by the passing of a grand lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Reply
Rosemary Shantz (Kennedy)
7/1/2022 09:33:23 am

My sincere sympathy to the Kennedy family.
Aunt Helen was a caring person who loved her family dearly.This girl from the country will always remember the summer holidays in the big city with my cousins.
It was a small house with a big family but for Aunt Helen, there was always room for one more.
Kennedy family get togethers were celebrated like only the Irish can.

To the family - I know she will be missed dearly. Keep all those special memories close to your heart.

Rosemary

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/3/2022 10:49:22 pm

thanks so much for your lovely thoughts on Mom

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/21/2022 09:19:58 pm

Rose. Barb is going to post this on the Kennedy Cousins FB page .... but just so you know ... we are having a Memorial Service for our Mom on Saturday, August 13th at 3 pm (arrive early to socialize) at Trillium Church - 22 Willow Street, Waterloo. Would love to see you and thanks again for your kind comments/donation.

Reply
Debbie Hertzberger (Sandrock)
7/2/2022 10:03:07 am

I have fond memories of spending time at the Kennedy home when I chummed with Janet back in our school days.. Mrs. Kennedy was a lovely lady & always made you feel welcome.. My condolences to the Family on your loss.

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/3/2022 10:50:50 pm

Debbie ... no nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words about our Mom.

Reply
Sheila and Clyde Parsons
7/3/2022 08:59:35 am

Our deepest sympathies to the entire Kennedy clan. Your Mother had the kindest heart and I know you will all miss her terribly.

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/3/2022 10:53:31 pm

Sheila and Clyde ... Bruce and Donna as well as the whole Kennedy Family thank you for your kind wishes ....Clyde - how many of her chocolate chip cookies did you eat after school at Sacred Heart?

Reply
Joyce & Randy McCarten
7/3/2022 01:51:44 pm

To Catherine and the Kennedy family our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/3/2022 10:54:09 pm

Thanks so much Joyce and Randy

Reply
marlene kennedy
7/4/2022 10:33:13 am

Aunt Helen was a warm MOM to everyone! I'll never forget the yummy popcorn balls she made for all the celebration gatherings. As for her knitting skills, I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful pink baby sweater and bonnet for my daughter, Tammy who was born on Aunt Helen's birthday May 27th. There is a whole in the world with her gone but she will be in our hearts forever. I just know she is arranging gatherings for the Irish clan now in heaven and will welcome us all with open arms when its our turn. To all of Aunt Helen's family you are in my thoughts and in my heart with much love. Marlene

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/21/2022 08:43:52 pm

Marlene ... we are having a memorial service for our Mom on August 13th at 3 pm at Trillium Church - 22 Willow St. Waterloo (the old St. John's Church). Would love if you could join us. Come early (after 2:30) to meet with the family.

Reply
Randy and Cindy Valnion
7/4/2022 07:39:21 pm

So sad to hear about your Mom passing Shirlee , Karen , Barb , Doug , Bruce , Robert , Cathy , Richard and the rest of the clan. I remember Helen as warm and always welcoming whenever I ended up there. Our condolences and best wishes to you all. Kinds gives me an empty feeling.

Reply
Shirlee Kennedy
7/7/2022 04:53:47 pm

Hi Randy and Cindy - thank you very much for your post in remembrance of Mom. We all have that empty feeling, but your best wishes make us all feel a bit better.

Reply
Bernadette Mayer
7/10/2022 10:22:25 am

Just got back and noticed that your mon passed on. We would lke to extend our condolences to your family on the loss of this very important person in your life.
Stan and Bernadette Mayer

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/21/2022 08:47:35 pm

Bernadette ... we are having a memorial service for our Mom at Trillium Lutheran Church (the old St. John's Lutheran) on Saturday, August 13th at 3 pm. (22 Willow Street). The family will be there at 2:30 to socialize before the service. Feel free to join us.

Reply
Lisa Dolson
7/13/2022 07:41:05 pm

I have wonderful memories of your Mom as she directed kids from one place to the next from sun up to sun down. She was generous, loving, and kind to her neighbors and her extended community.
May your memories of her be a blessing in the days to come.
Your family will be kept in my prayers.
Lisa

Reply
Catherine Owens
7/21/2022 09:15:40 pm

Lisa ... thanks so much for you kind thoughts on our Mom. We have fond memories of living next door to you, Steve, Dave and Tammy.. it was the best ever,
=
PS ,,, the memorial service for our Mom is on August 13th at 3 pm at Trillium Church - 22 Willow St. Waterloo. You are most welcome to join us ... and would actually appreciate it if you would pass this onto Tammy.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Welcome. If you would like to leave a message of condolence, click on the comments line in the obituary, then scroll down to the section for leaving a reply​

    Past Obituaries

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

Testimonials

"I just wanted to say how pleased we were with the help you guys provided to us. I was very nervous about the whole situation however you made us feel very comfortable and at ease. Very professional yet personal, no pressure just quality service. We are recommending you guys every chance we get”  ​Mary
“Hi Shawn, just taking a moment finally to express my gratitude on the wonderful services you have provided thus far. Your staff (Lisa) has been wonderful with everything. A true professional and very empathetic and compassionate to our loss. She did an amazing job in preparing mom for our intimate viewing. Mom looked exactly how she would've if still with us. I was so pleased to see how perfect everything was.”  Carlo
“Thank you so much I not sure if you are told enough but you truly are amazing for what you do the help you give the relief you give people after losing a loved one I want to thank you.”  
“Shawn, please accept our thanks for making the cremation process simple and dignified. You could not have been any more helpful and I am very grateful for your ‘virtual’ presence.” 
“Once again, thank you so much for your kind service on behalf of myself and her family, we thank you for making a difficult time seamless” 

    Contact Us

Submit
Immediate Need
If you have an immediate need for a loved one, please call us now. ​
​We have a licensed staff member on call 24 hours a day to assist you at this difficult time.
​
​​Kitchener Office: 
1601 River Road East, Unit 28A,  Kitchener, ON   N2A 3Y4
519-772-1237  kitchener@tricitycremations.com
Licence #1051
Cambridge Office:
383 Elgin Street North, Unit 10,  Cambridge, ON   N1R 8C1
​
519-267-7199  cambridge@tricitycremations.com
​
Licence #1280

Canadian Federation of
 Independent Business
Picture
Consumer Protection Ontario
Picture
Funeral Service
Association of Canada
Picture
Ontario Funeral
Service Association
Picture
​​Licensed by
​Bereavement Authority of Ontario
Picture
Consumer Information Guide
​© 2022 Tri-City Cremation Services.  All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
  • Cremation
  • Burial
  • Preplanning
  • Grief Resources
  • Obituaries & Condolences
  • Contact