Joyce Beth Kennedy

Joyce Beth Kennedy

May 28, 1941 - Jan. 20, 2022

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Joyce Beth Kennedy, age 80, of The Villages, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.

Joyce was born on May 28, 1941, in Indianola, Neb., the daughter of Glen R. and Dollie (Marquardt) Cross. She grew up on a farm south of Bartley, Neb., and graduated from Bartley High School in 1958. While in high school, Joyce played volleyball and was also a cheerleader. She was voted Homecoming Queen her senior year. In June of 1957, Joyce was selected to represent the Bartley American Legion Post and Bartley High School at “Girls State” in Lincoln, Neb.

Joyce married the love of her life, Patrick Joseph Kennedy, in June of 1959. Together, they raised four children. Her greatest love and joy was being a mother, followed closely by being a grandmother. Joyce loved to cook, make crafts, take care of her home and love on her family. She loved music, dancing, along with hearing and telling a good joke. Joyce enjoyed the outdoors and walked almost every day. She was a proud Nebraska Cornhusker fan who enjoyed watching football and cheering the team on.

Joyce and Patrick moved nine times during his career, making many lifelong friends in the different states they resided in. Travel was also something Joyce enjoyed. She was fortunate enough to have visited almost every state in the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii. She and Patrick travelled to several countries overseas as well. Through their love of travel, both within the states and overseas, Joyce and Patrick were able to meet many new people who became friends.

Once all her children were raised, Joyce began working as a temporary administrative assistant at Ford Motor Company and later, Visteon. At the age of 57, she was promoted to a full-time employee and became the executive secretary to a vice president at Visteon. She retired after 10 years of loyal service and a pension from both companies. The day after she retired, she and husband Patrick were on an airplane to Hawaii.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Richard Glenn Cross.

Those left to celebrate her life include her husband, Patrick Kennedy of Florida; her four children, Michael (Hannah) Kennedy of Georgia, Troy (Amy) Kennedy of Michigan, Michelle (Chesley) Dillon of Florida and Thomas (Lisa) Kennedy of Texas; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and her three sisters, Mrs. Joanne (Delba) Banzhaf of Nebraska, Mrs. Marion Acton of Nebraska, and Mrs. Bernice Gosnell of Colorado.

A “Final Farewell” book signing with family present to greet friends will be from 5-7 p.m., on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, Neb.

A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m., on Friday, July 1, 2022, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola, Neb. A luncheon will follow at the Rocket Inn, also in Indianola.

A private family burial of cremains will be held in the Cedar Bluffs Cemetery, Cedar Bluffs, Kan.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the family.