Obituary of Irma Kennedy
Like a stone tossed into a pond with the resulting ripples, Mom’s life touched many people. To what extent we shall never know, and it still remains to be seen. Her life was a life well lived.
Irma Mary Kennedy (nee Dixon) in her 88th year passed away peacefully on February 17 2023, with her family at her side and after a prolonged illness. Born June 3, 1935, in Kingston Ontario. She was the middle child of a family of seven and lived all of her younger years in Sharbot Lake. As result of her mother’s premature passing at age 10, she was thrust into the role of caregiver which she embraced with a stoic spirt typical of her generation.
As a result of this life change, she spent her summers living with relatives in the Coxvale and Crotch Lake areas. While attending church during this time period she met the love of her life Carl. They were married on November 14, 1953.
Irma was predeceased by her husband Carl in May 1993.She is survived by her children, Sandy and Scott(deceased),Bill and Jacqueline, Carl and Alison. Grandchildren Richard, David, Alan, Erika, Jesse, Dante, Gabriel, Ferris, Jordan. She was Great Grammie to Paislee, Ashton, Elyse, Bennett, Harper and Bowan.
Survived also by her sister Nelda (Gilbert) Whan and brother Eric Dixon. Irma will also be missed by sister-in law’s Doris Brash, and Frona Brash. Predeceased by her parents Earl and Edna Dixon, brothers Bill, Bob and David.
Irma shall be remembered by close friends Dolores Stephens and Shirley and Tony Doherty.
An accomplished award-winning scholar while at high school in Sharbot Lake, she found her niche for numbers. She went on to become one of the very first employees at Kmart in Kingston. As a part-time clerk in Ladies Wear, she rose through the ranks to become the Personnel Manager until the store’s closing. Working at Kmart and her interactions with employees and customers was a great source of enjoyment for Irma. She touched the lives of many people during her career there. She was one of the last people to “lock the doors” when Kmart closed. She took immense pride in this.
Christ Church Cataraqui was blessed to have her as a parishioner and a past president of the ACW. As a faithful and dedicated servant of Christ, she flourished in this role. Traveling across Canada for the ACW gave her great honor and comfort in carrying on the Lord’s work.
The family wishes to recognize the staff and doctors at both Rosewood Manor and RideauCrest Home. These amazing professionals made an immense effort to ensure Mom was well cared for and comfortable during her stay, for which we are eternally grateful. Thank you very much.
Celebration of life service at 1 pm on June 10, 2023, at Christ Church Cataraqui with a reception immediately following.
Internment at Oconto cemetery.
If one wishes to remember Irma in other ways, donations in her memory can be made to the Christ Church Cataraqui ACW or the Alzheimer Society of Kingston.
