Born in Hamilton, Ontario, on 26 June 1916, died in Guelph, Ontario, on Sunday, 20 August 2017. She was predeceased by her husband Everard (Ev) Moroni Kennedy (1998), her daughter Dawn Doreen Ling (2007), her parents Orma Kniffen (1922) and Leah Beatrice (née Culp) Kniffen (1966), and her brother Dalton Lloyd Kniffen (1999). She is survived by her son Douglas (Judy) with her grandsons Steve (Liette ‘Lee’) and his son Zach and her children Payton and Regan; David (Tiffany); Jay (Jennifer) Kennedy with their children Alyssa and Hailey; Colin Barrie and his daughters Angela Kennedy and Lilliana Kennedy; Judy’s daughter Tammy (Rob Conley) and their children Amy and Sarah; son Darrel; daughter Twila (John Romanow) with their “3M”children Melissa, Michael (Emily) with their two children Gavin and Briar, and Megan. Helen’s ancestors of Spencers and Wardells were Loyalists from the states of New York and New Jersey.
Helen was a life-long member of the Community of Christ (formerly The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Born and married in Hamilton, she and Ev moved to Guelph in 1948 and established Kennedy’s Pharmacy on Paisley Street. At her church, she was active in the Women’s Department, the church choir, and the public dinners for the needy. She was involved with the Wyndham House Auxiliary, once serving in the early 1980s as its President. She also volunteered at the Guelph location of ARC (Adult Rehabilitative Centre) Industries. With her home being in the same building as Kennedy’s Pharmacy, she was the bookkeeper for the store and was always at home for the children. She was not a “helicopter parent”, was available to listen, but only offered suggestions when she was asked for them. She had a marvelous memory for keeping track of relationships in the extended family and was interested in keeping in touch. .
Memorial service will be held at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre. Memorial contributions to the Guelph Community of Christ or Community Living Guelph Wellington (ARC Industries) would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Helen M. Kennedy in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm.