DIANE C. KENNEDY

DIANE C. KENNEDY (nee Rozanski) age 82. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away after a life lived with joy, passion, and generosity. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Michael R. Kennedy; her sons Matthew (Jennifer) and Sean (Grace); and her grandchildren Caroline, Matthew, Brady, Ava, Rowan, Paige, and Evelyn. Diane was the loving big sister of Donita Strok (Fred) and the treasured “Aunt Diane” to many nieces and nephews. She was a loyal friend and longtime golf and card partner to many.

To call Diane merely a matriarch would fall short. She was a force, both determined and endlessly generous. Diane and Mike met at Kent State University and married shortly after graduation, beginning a partnership that was at the heart of everything they built. They moved to Rocky River, where she proudly called Rocky River home for more than fifty years.

Diane’s professional journey began as a buyer for Higbee’s, where she discovered her love of work, travel, and forging relationships. In 1972, she left Higbee’s to help Mike launch a new business venture. After that company was sold, Mike and Diane, and later their sons, rebuilt and expanded what ultimately became TruWest Companies. Diane remained actively involved in the business and, in true Diane fashion, worked up until the day before her passing.

In addition to being a compassionate business leader, Diane was equally committed to philanthropy. She joined the Malachi House Board in 1989, playing a pivotal role in raising capital funds, ultimately contributing to the endowment. Diane poured her heart into the Annual Benefit for over twelve years, helping raise money for operating and endowment needs. Today, the Diane C. Kennedy Dining Room at Malachi House stands as a testament to her dedication and generosity. Diane deepened her commitment to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, hoping to make a lasting impact on research in heart and cancer care.

Diane possessed a world traveler’s spirit. Accomplishing her goal of visiting every continent, she journeyed through Africa on safari, admired penguins in Antarctica, savored unforgettable meals in Vietnam, snapped selfies with kangaroos down under and, most recently, returned to Italy with Mike this past September. She instilled her love of adventure in her grandchildren by planning family vacations. Even traveling with cranky toddlers, sick preteens, double strollers and car seats didn’t deter her; she curated memorable family trips.

An avid golfer, Diane proudly celebrated a coveted hole-in-one which is still displayed on her desk. She served as past president of the WWGA. When it came to the Mother–Son Golf Tournament, Diane and her boys were a force to be reckoned with, taking the title an impressive nine times, collectively. She enjoyed tennis, bridge, and mahjong, and was a voracious reader known to stay up all night to finish a book. Her guilty pleasures included Perry Mason, Law & Order, and a determined round of Candy Crush. Diane was a savvy investor who beautifully merged her business acumen with her passion for Broadway. She proudly invested in Wicked, Urinetown, and The Outsiders.

Of all her accomplishments, Diane’s favorite title was Mom and Grammy. She loved being a mother and grandmother. She was often found cheering on her sons; and later her grandchildren on the fields, courts, and rinks. She opened her family home to her grandchildren and their friends, playfully tolerating the spirited chaos and then appreciating the stillness after everyone had gone. When she wasn’t working, traveling, or on the golf course, she could often be spotted around town in Frau, her unmistakable wheels.

There was no project too big or challenge too daunting for Diane. She threw unforgettable parties, cooked remarkable meals, and led with confidence, strength, and heart. Anyone who knew Diane understood when to simply step back and let her take the helm as she always knew where she was going.

A Celebration of Diane's Life will be held Wednesday, November 19, Westwood Country Club, (22625 Detroit Rd. Rocky River, OH) from 12:00-2:00 PM with family reflections starting at 12:15 PM.  

The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Malachi House, 2810 Clinton Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113 https://malachihouse.org/ in lieu of flowers, honoring the legacy of a woman whose life was defined by leadership, and generosity.