The Life of Elsie May Kennedy
Elsie M. Kennedy (nee Kochersperger) of Willow Valley Communities, Lancaster, PA, was born October l8, l927, in Philadelphia, PA. and passed away at Willow Valley on September 30, 2018.
Elsie graduated from John Bartram High School in 1946. She worked for the accounting firm Lybrand, Ross Bros. and Montgomery until l953. She married her lifelong sweetheart Ernest W. Kennedy on June l2, l948. She was married 58 years until his death in December 2006.
At the age of 42 she entered Nursing School at Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia, PA and became a licensed practical nurse. She then worked in nursing for twenty five years until moving to Willow Valley Communities in l995.
Surviving are her three sons, Bruce Kennedy (Anna-Riikka) of Castelmuzio, Italy, Donald Kennedy (Janet) of Wallingford, PA and Mark Kennedy (Wendy) of Wallingford, PA. Surviving are also nine grandchildren, Erika Kennedy, Jennifer Kennedy, Aileen Kennedy, Lucas Kennedy, Laura O’Nions, Kimberly Zajac, Brian Kennedy, Lauren Hargrove, James Kennedy, fourteen great grandchildren and her sister Anna Jane Welsh. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Ernest (Ernie) W. Kennedy, and brothers Randal, Milton, Chester, and Hammond Kochersperger.
She was very active in all areas of her sons’ lives. Elsie loved music and activities through church. She sang in choirs at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, where she grew up, Blue Church of Springfield, (Del. Co.) where she and Ernie raised their family, and Westminster Presbyterian Church of America, Lancaster after retiring. Elsie and her family loved traveling, camping and outdoor living, especially their 33 summers in Ocean City, N J.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 13 at 10 am at 600 Willow Valley Square - North, Lancaster, PA. Visitation with family commences at 9:30am. A private family burial will take place later in the day at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made her memory to the following organizations: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601-4604 Mathias J. Brunner Nursing Education Fund c/o Willow Valley Retirement Communities, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA 17602