Obituary of Joan Esther Rose Kennedy

Joan Esther Rose Kennedy, age 93 late of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, passed away on November 28th, 2023 at Embrace Hospice Care of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Joan was born to Fred and Sally Rose on September 1st, 1930, in Haverstraw, NY. She was a 1949 graduate of Haverstraw High School, and married Donald Edwin Kennedy of Moravia, NY, on the 23rd of October 1954 in Haverstraw; later she and her husband Don settled in nearby Stony Point, NY and lived there for many years prior to their retirements. Following her high school graduation, Joan graduated from the Frances Gordon School of Modeling in New York City and worked for several years as a model in New York. In later years Joan enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren with stories of her modeling days and her encounters with celebrities such as Walt Disney and Tony Bennett in the elevator of the RKO Building where she worked. After her marriage, Joan worked for over 23 years as a school secretary in West Haverstraw prior to her and Don's retirement. After their retirement, Joan and her husband Don moved to Hanover, PA where they enjoyed many happy years, spending their summers at their lake house on Owasco Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. Following Don's passing, Joan moved to North Carolina where her daughter Cindy could better help with her care.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Donald Edwin Kennedy, her parents Fred and Sally Rose of Stony Point, NY, as well as Don's parents, Paul and Genevieve Kennedy of Moravia, NY and Joan's sister Marjorie Chisholm and her husband Alex Chisholm of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Joan is survived by her children, daughter Cynthia Kennedy Campbell and husband Michael Campbell, son Donald Edwin Kennedy, Jr and wife Dina Viotto Kennedy, as well as grandchildren Sarah Campbell Meyers and her husband Jeff Meyers, Matthew Campbell, Joshua Campbell, Danielle Kennedy VanLent and her husband Sam VanLent and Christina Kennedy-Dunne and her husband Matthew Dunne. Joan is also survived by three great granddaughters, Madeline Meyers, Annabelle Meyers and Gianna VanLent.

A graveside service will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on December 13th at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn, NY where Joan will be laid to rest alongside, her husband Don overlooking their beloved Owasco Lake.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association via one of their local chapters.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com. or to www.Langhamfuneralhomellc.com