Kathryn Kennedy

Kathryn L. Kennedy

Age 100 of Wilmington, died Saturday, October 26, 2013 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born May 12, 1913 on the family farm in Manhattan; Kathryn was the daughter of Peter and Louise (Ruettiger) Kestel. She attended District 119, a one-room country school, and then graduated from Providence High School in 1932. On September 11, 1943, Kathryn married Arthur M. Kennedy in St. John's Church in Joliet. Together, Kay and Art lived on the Kennedy family farm and raised their two children, Margaret and Robert. Faith, family, and farming were the foundations of her life.

Kathryn was a member of St. Rose Parish, St. Rose CCW, and the Wesley Community Club. She was past president of the Will County Club League, a former 4-H leader, and a member of the Will County Thresherman's Association. In July, she was honored as the Queen in their WCTA parade. For 23 years, she volunteered at Embassy Care in Wilmington.

After her son Bob died in 1980, Kathryn started working on a quilt that really became her autobiography. She called it "Yesterdays Remembered" and her family was proud to see it featured in the book History From The Heart. She loved living on the farm, tending to her big garden, helping at her church, baking her special crescent rolls, china painting with her friend Ila, and riding in parades with Art in their 1931 Model A Ford.

Kathryn is survived by her daughter Margaret (Bill) Benoit of Joliet; one cherished granddaughter Beth; her sister Elsie (the late Walter) Baskerville; and several nieces and nephews. Kathryn was especially close to her nieces Ruth and Joyce Baskerville and her nephew James (Mary) Baskerville and their children Ann, John (Melissa), Luke, and Megan.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband Arthur (2007); her son Robert A. Kennedy (1980); three brothers, Raymond (Mary) Kestel, Lawrence (Marge) Kestel, and Edward Kestel.

We would like to thank the dedicated staff at Our Lady of Angels and the Joliet Area Community Hospice for their kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be at St. Rose Church, 604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington on Tuesday October 29, 2013 from 9:30AM until time of funeral service 11:00AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wilmington.

Memorials in memory of Kathryn may be made to St. Rose School, 626 S. Kankakee Street, Wilmington, IL 60481 or Our Lady of Angels, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP.