Mary Diane Kennedy's Obituary
On Monday, March 25th, Mary Diane Kennedy, beloved friend to so many, passed away after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. “Diane” as she was known by everyone, spent her 39-year career as a high school teacher and administrator. During Diane’s career, she was always the one to volunteer to participate in plays and other fun activities at school. As an administrator, she was known for having an open-door policy for any student who needed guidance, which resulted in her enjoying some adoring students who have kept in touch with her through the years. She always said that she had a “Miss Kennedy fan club” at her office for those who would act up in class so they would be sent to her office. She believed that every student deserved a second chance (and sometimes more), and she was loved and respected by all her students. Diane also took much joy in mentoring the young teachers even if it meant going to the local bar on a Friday night after an exhausting week of teaching.
When Diane retired and moved to Canadian Lakes, she quickly adjusted to the her new lifestyle. She got a part time job at a pool/spa store doing the bookkeeping, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, writing the quarterly newsletter and then worked a part time position at Artworks in Big Rapids, as well as volunteering on committees at United Church of Big Rapids. She was also the treasurer of our Canadian Lakes Car Club always reminding us of her many fond memories of her.1955 Pontiac. In her spare time, she got involved in a favorite activity of playing cards, learned how to play Mah Jong, and occasionally played Bingo. She enjoyed being with all her new friends at Canadian Lakes.
She loved to travel and was blessed to visit many countries around the world throughout her life. She loved road trips and new adventures, but she loved to shop even more, looking for that “unique” treasure or new piece of jewelry.
Diane will always be remembered for her generosity and caring spirit. Her life was enriched by those she met, and her friends were many. In fact, a year ago when she had a nasty fall, she received over one hundred cards.
She is survived by her lifelong best friend, Melanie Henry, her husband Marshall and their family, as well as several cousins whom she cherished in both the U.S. and Canada. She was particularly close to her Canadian cousins, Mary Jayne Gosnell and Patty Sinnamon and their families (American Thanksgivings will never be the same), as well as Pat and Les Neal and their son Chris and his family. Diane is also survived by her Aunt Louise Mason, in Ontario. Diane’s father, Douglas Kennedy died when was Diane was just 13 years old. She was lovingly raised by her mother, Evelyn Kennedy who also predeceased her in 2007 and who taught her the value of hard work and the importance of family.
Diane met every challenge that Parkinsons disease placed before her with such grace and dignity – she was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was determined to keep moving and not let it get the best of her as long as she could. She spent many hours reading and learning about the disease, and it was her wish that her body be donated to Wayne State School of Medicine for further research with the hope that one day a cure would be found.
There will be a memorial service for Diane on Saturday, May 18 at United Church Big Rapids at 120 S. State St., Big Rapids at noon with a luncheon followed. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. (https://www.michaeljfox.org/)
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