Marilyn Jean Kennedy

Marilyn Jean "Bunny" Brennan Kennedy was born on April 25, 1936 and left this world peacefully on April 7, 2024 after living with Alzheimer's for more than a decade. Bunny is survived by son Kevin J. Kennedy, daughter Kari Lee Kennedy and son-in-law Chip Anderson, Granddaughter Meaghan Lilly Anderson, Grandson Kristoffer William Anderson and Granddaughter-in-law Anna Halvorson, and Great Granddaughter Phoenix Kennedy Anderson. Bunny was preceded in death by her former husband and dear friend William R. Kennedy, parents Lilly Doris Haugen Brennan and Roy Joseph Brennan. Bunny was an avid gardener for most of her adult life, spending countless hours in her yard in north Minneapolis. Her love for gardening came from her mother Lilly and was passed down to daughter Kari, who tends garden beds in Grandma Lil's former yard and Bunny's childhood home. A lifelong learner who valued education for all, Bunny earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in August of 2000. Her dissertation focus was on the effect of neighborhood environments on schizophrenic relapse and was dedicated to: "My parents, Lilly Haugen and Roy Brennan, for teaching me at an early age that I could do anything as long as I believed in myself; To my children, Kevin and Kari, who were the inspiration for this work - each in a different way. And to my grandchildren, Kristoffer and Meaghan, for who life is an ever-unfolding adventure." From the time we were young, she instilled in us that sense of belief in ourselves and the ability to be or do whatever we wanted. As part of her credo, she strongly believed in gender equality and we are grateful that she brought that into our lives as children. In addition to being a mother and grandmother, Bunny held many positions in her professional career, including Ramsey County social worker and elementary school social worker. Her post-doctoral career and final decade of professional work was at the Minnesota Department of Health as a research scientist with a focus on the impact of poverty on maternal and child health. Bunny's final years of life were spent at Johanna Shores in Arden Hills, part of Presbyterian Homes & Services. In her final months Optage Hospice provided care and comfort. Bunny was a staff favorite in the Gables at Johanna Shores. We are eternally grateful for the love and care provided to our mom and grandmother in her final years as a resident at Johanna Shores. She was tremendously happy and peaceful at her final residence. Bunny will be laid to rest in a private interment at Old St. Thomas Cemetery in Corcoran, Minnesota near former spouse and friend Bill Kennedy and his parents, Alice Catherine Gleason Kennedy and William Joseph Kennedy.

Tributes

Marilyn Jean Kennedy

April 25, 1936 - April 7, 2024

Tributes

Marilyn Jean Kennedy

April 25, 1936 - April 7, 2024

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