Mary Ann Kennedy

Mary Ann Kennedy, 80, of Camp Hill, PA and formerly of State College, PA and Yeadon, PA passed away peacefully at her home on January 7, 2016 surrounded by her family. Mary Ann was the second child born to the late Mary (Gans) and Thomas Burns in Philadelphia on July 27, 1935. She grew up in a loving home with her sisters Rosalie McKernan, Kathleen DiLossi and the late Barbara Ford along with her brothers Joseph and the late Thomas and William Burns. She is also survived by 37 wonderful nieces and nephews. She spent her summers in Sea Isle City, NJ where as a teenager; she met her soul mate, the late Edward Kennedy. They married in 1956 and began their beautiful love story. Together they raised a family of nine children: Edward (Jacqui Hunt), Kathleen Small (Kenneth), Maureen, Marianne DiDonato (John), Denise Watson (David), Michael, Patricia Stephens (Warren), Teresa (Kevin Telep) and Brian (Kristina Casale). Their lives were further enriched and blessed with 17 grandchildren who brought them great joy. Mary Ann attended West Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, where she developed life long friendships and graduated in 1953. As a faithful Catholic, Mary Ann was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Philadelphia, Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College, Saint Joseph Parish in Sea Isle City, and most recently Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill where she attended mass daily with her late husband. Mary Ann also served as a volunteer on the church's Caring Team and was a member of the Women's Council. Additionally, she volunteered for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, March of Dimes and Concerned Women of America. Mary Ann will be remembered most as an inspiration to all who were fortunate to know her. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of how she lived her life. She raised her children with kindness and compassion and was a devoted wife to Ed. Family was the most important thing to Mary Ann. She loved to entertain and was known to feed anyone who entered her home whether they were hungry or not. Mary Ann had the natural ability to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. Her favorite place to be was with her family, most specifically her husband, sitting on the deck of their Sea Isle City home with a Manhattan in her hand, watching the beauty in the evening sunset. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and invite relatives and friends to join us as we celebrate the life of Mary Ann Kennedy beginning with a viewing on Monday January 11, 2016 from 7-9 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester (cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA 19082 (www.donohuefuneralhome.com) and Tuesday January 12, 2016 from 9-10 AM at St. Dorothy's Church located at 4910 Township Line Road Drexel Hill, PA 19026 followed by her funeral mass at 10 AM. Interment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary Ann Kennedy to "Good Shepherd Church Tuition Angels" would be appreciated and can be mailed to Good Shepherd Church 3435 Trindle Road Camp Hill, PA 17011.