Sheila M. Kennedy's Obituary
Sheila (O’Leary) Kennedy passed away on February 18, 2024. The daughter of Julia (Milmore) and William O’Leary, she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence and went on to receive her bachelor's degree in education from University of Lowell. She also earned a master’s degree and completed additional studies at Salem State.
After teaching middle school students in Connecticut and California, she ventured abroad to teach in Frankfurt, Germany, and Caracas, Venezuela. She then returned to Massachusetts to teach in Andover and North Andover.
Sheila had a fierce, independent spirit and loved adventure of all sorts. She loved to travel and always stayed physically active. Anyone who knew her also knows how much she loved to read. Whether at the beach or curled up on the couch, you could bet she had her nose in a book.
Sheila is predeceased by her husband, William F. Kennedy, and sister, Marilyn (O’Leary) Kenney. She is survived by her son, William J. Kennedy, and his wife, Shelley Phelps; her daughter, Kathleen Kennedy, and her husband, David Goodman; grandchildren Tyler Goodman and Zoe Goodman; her sister, Claire (O’Leary) Graham; and many nieces and nephews.
At Sheila’s request, there are no calling hours. Family and friends are invited to attend Mass at St. Monica Church, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11 AM. Guests are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. There will be no procession from the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Mary – Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.
Memorial contributions in Sheila’s memory can be made to Bread & Roses Community Kitchen and Food Pantry, 58 Newbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 or at https://breadandroseskitchen.org. Checks should be made payable to “Bread & Roses.” To extend condolences and share memories online, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kennedy family.
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