Jean Marie Kennedy

Jean (christened Genevieve) Marie (Lucas) Kennedy died peacefully in her sleep on the early morning of September 6, 2022 at her home at Waltonwood Lakeside, Sterling Heights, MI. Born on Friday, January 13, 1928 in Youngstown, OH to Lithuanian immigrants Eva Marie (Radzevicuius; abbreviated Rade; 1886-1971) and Michael Lucas (abbreviated from Lukasevicius; 1885-1960), Jean was the youngest of six children (all US born): Anne (1909-80), Rose Mary (1911-2006), Gusty (1913-87), Victor (1915-2007), and Helen (1918-2018). Raised in the family home on South Ave., Jean was remembered by her early peers as a gregarious, feisty youngster. Even after 80 years, nephew Walter Andrews, son of sister Anne, but nearly the same age as Jean, remembered calling her, albeit lovingly, “Meany Jeany” for her bossy ways. Jean graduated Woodrow Wilson High School in June, 1946 and spent that summer with her sister Rose Mary in Saginaw, MI sorting rocks for her geologist brother-in-law Edward Baltrusiatis in the hope of finding oil in MI (he never did). Meanwhile, she caught the eye of a young soldier, just back from the War, whose parents lived next door. Jean returned home, but her suitor was soon making the trip back and forth to see her every weekend. The romance continued long distance until her marriage with Harold “Gus” Kennedy on June 26, 1948 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Youngstown. Jean and Gus settled in Saginaw where she bore three boys, Michael Harold (b.1949), William Patrick (b.1951), and Richard James (b.1954). In 1950 the couple purchased the same home on Court St. where their courtship began next door to the Kennedy grandparents to the great delight of the grandchildren. In January, 1956 Gus was promoted by his lifelong employer, Michigan Bell Telephone, to an engineering position in Detroit, MI and subsequently moved the family to Royal Oak, MI where daughters Ann Marie (b.1957) and Susan Jean (b.1961) were born and raised lovingly along with their brothers. Jean was a firm, but caring mother, fiercely protective of her children and known to chase down bullies on a borrowed bicycle if necessary to their defense. She regularly volunteered her time and energies to the local Catholic parish and school, Shrine of the Little Flower, and was beloved by the resident priests/teachers/nuns for her attentions and willingness to assist at a moment’s notice. She was also loved by her Woodland Ave. neighbors and was often visited by neighbor children for her kind attention and always full cookie jar. After the children had left home, in 1983 Jean and Gus moved the family home to Hatherly Pl. in Sterling Heights, MI, conveniently around the corner from daughter Ann. There, she continued to host gatherings of her tight-knit family, which had added spouses: Mike (Ellen Jane), Bill (Jeanne Dietsch), Rick (Deborah), Ann (Leon Niebrzydowski) and Sue (Raymond Hlavaty) followed by 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Birthday celebrations always included Jean’s famous angel food cakes with strawberry whipped cream frosting. She baked hundreds over the years, given the number of her descendants. Her grandchildren also attest that they anxiously awaited her delicious, numerous, lovingly baked, and varied Christmas cookies every year. Jean and Gus moved into the Waltonwood Independent Living community in 2014. Gus passed away in November of 2019 after 71 years of marriage to his sweetheart. Jean was a faithful wife, loving and caring mother, and doting grand- and great grand-mother. Our prayers go with you, Jean. Rest in peace. Visitation Sunday, September 11th from 3-8pm with a 7:30pm Scripture service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate Monday, September 12th from 9am until time of 9:30am Mass at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12115 15 Mile Rd. (E. of Dodge Park), Sterling Hts. Interment, White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, or Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com.

Jean Marie Kennedy

January 13, 1928 - September 6, 2022