Doris Jean Kennedy (Garnett) passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2025, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson.
Doris and her twin brother Donald Dean were born July 25, 1936, in a farmhouse near Scranton on the hottest day of the year. She was the fifth of eight children born to Milferd and Vera (Hartwigsen) Garnett. She graduated from Scranton High School in 1954.
After high school, Doris worked for the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. She met and married Vincent Eugene Kennedy on April 7, 1956. The couple farmed and began their married life together in a small farmhouse east of Spring Lake. They moved to town and Doris stayed home to raise their five children while Vince worked for the post office. Together the couple had a small business cleaning offices and, along with their five children, cleaned many of the businesses in town. Doris later took a job as a receptionist and bookkeeper at Durlam Electric and worked part-time in the school lunchroom. In 1980 Doris decided to stay home to babysit for a special nephew’s son, who had lost his wife. Doris later started a fulltime job as a rural mail carrier which she enjoyed until her retirement.
Vince and Doris were avid sports fans who never missed their children or grandchildren’s games. Doris also enjoyed quilting and playing cards. She loved her bridge game but also enjoyed a game of pinochle with her children, creating treasure memories. She loved baking with her grandchildren and passed on some of her “secret” recipes.
Doris was a member of St. Joseph Parish and enjoyed being a member of Catholic Daughters. During her final years in the nursing home, Doris treasured her faithful visits and cards from the members of Daughters. Her faith was important to her, and she especially enjoyed praying the rosary.
Doris’s greatest love and accomplishment was her family. She was a devoted grandmother and spent numerous hours with her grandchildren. She taught them there is nothing a snickerdoodle cookie can’t fix, the value of family and to always look to your faith.
Doris is survived by her children Rebecca Kennedy of Mediapolis, and Denise (Dean) Promes and Thomas Kennedy of Jefferson; daughter-in-law Diane Kennedy of Jefferson; sisters Darlene Taggart and Harriett (Byron) Paup of Jefferson and Lucille Cadwell of Earlham; sister in law Helen Garnett of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law Dick (Janet) Kennedy of Jefferson; grandchildren Tiffany (John) Hupp, Kayla Promes, Joseph Promes, Jennifer (Chris) Serrato, Marissa Promes, Hannah Promes, Michael Kennedy and Nathan Kennedy; great-grandchildren Zachary, Easton, Jett, and Blakely Hupp and Lyanna and Luca Serrato; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Milferd and Vera Garnett; husband Vince Kennedy; sons Robert Kennedy and John Kennedy; siblings and in-laws Virginia and John Vernon, Carl and Delores Garnett, Gladys and Leonard Hoffman, Scott Cadwell, twin brother Donald Garnett, Gene Taggart, Mary Wells and Jerry and Janice Kennedy.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home assisted the family. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.
