Joyce Beth Kennedy, age 80, of The Villages, Florida passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Joyce was born on May 28, 1941 in Indianola, NE the daughter of Glen R. and Dollie (Marquardt) Cross. She grew up on a farm south of Bartley, NE and graduated from Bartley High School in 1958. While in high school, Joyce played volleyball and was also a cheerleader. She was voted Homecoming Queen her senior year. In June of 1957, Joyce was selected to represent the Bartley American Legion Post and Bartley High School at “Girls State” in Lincoln, NE.
Joyce married the love of her life, Patrick Joseph Kennedy in June of 1959. Together, they raised four children. Her greatest love and joy was being a mother, followed closely by being a grandmother. Joyce loved to cook, make crafts, take care of her home and love on her family. She loved music, dancing, along with hearing and telling a good joke. Joyce enjoyed the outdoors and walked almost every day. She was a proud Nebraska Cornhusker fan who enjoyed watching football and cheering the team on.
Patrick and Joyce moved nine times during Patrick’s career they many lifelong friends in the different states they resided in. Travel was also something Joyce enjoyed. She was fortunate enough to have visited almost every state in the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii. She and Patrick travelled to several countries overseas as well. Through their love of travel, both within the states and overseas, Joyce and Patrick were able to meet many new people who became friends.
Once all her children were raised, Joyce began working as a temporary administrative assistant at Ford Motor Company and later, Visteon. At the age of 57, she was promoted to a full-time employee and became the Executive Secretary to a Vice President at Visteon. She retired after ten years of loyal service and a pension from both companies. The day after she retired, she and husband Patrick were on an airplane to Hawaii.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Richard Glenn Cross.
Those left to celebrate her life include her husband, Patrick Kennedy of Florida; her four children, Michael (Hannah) Kennedy of Georgia, Troy (Amy) Kennedy of Michigan, Michelle (Chesley) Dillon of Florida and Thomas (Lisa) Kennedy of Texas; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and her three sisters, Mrs. Joanne (Delba) Banzhaf of Nebraska, Mrs. Marion Acton of Nebraska, and Mrs. Bernice Gosnell of Colorado.
A “Final Farewell” Book Signing with family present to greet friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, NE.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM on Friday, July 1, 2022 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola, NE. A luncheon will follow at Rocket Pizza, also in Indianola.
A private family burial of cremains will be held in the Cedar Bluffs Cemetery, Cedar Bluffs, KS.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601.