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MARILYN MOATS KENNEDY

1943 - 2017

BORN

1943

DIED

2017

About

Wyandotte High School DePaul University

MARILYN KENNEDY Obituary

Marilyn Moats Kennedy, 73, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at JourneyCare Hospice at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She had been battling ovarian cancer for nearly two years. She died peacefully in her sleep with her husband at her side. She is survived by husband, Daniel J. Kennedy, Jr. of Chicago, IL; daughter, Anne Kennedy McGuire and her husband Michael and their sons Declan and Brennan of Chappaqua, NY; her sister, Evelyn Munger of Phoenix, AZ; her brother, Orin Lloyd Moats, Jr. of Stilwell, KS; her half brother, Jerry Jeffries of Kansas City, KS, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Orin Lloyd Moats; her mother, Georgia Moats; and her aunt, Eula White. Born in Kansas City, KS, on April 15, 1943, she attended Quindaro elementary school, Northwest Junior High School and Wyandotte High School, graduating in 1961. At Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism she earned a BSJ in 1965 and an MSJ in 1966. She married Daniel in 1967. They previously lived in Evanston, IL, then Wilmette, IL. Marilyn began her career as a teacher and administrator at DePaul University in Chicago. She started a business, Career Strategies, to help people plan and navigate their careers. She later founded Moats-Kennedy, Inc. through which she provided consulting, seminars and speeches to individuals, businesses and associations. Marilyn was Job Strategies editor for Glamour magazine for 18 years. She wrote six books on career planning and office politics, wrote and published a monthly newsletter and wrote columns for many business and professional publications. She is a member of Medill's Journalism Hall of Achievement and a founding member of Council of 100, a group of highly successful alumnae who mentor female students at NU. She was a dear friend and mentor to many. Memorial donations may be made to the Marilyn Moats Kennedy Scholarship Fund at Northwestern University-Medill, 1201 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60208. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Additional details available online at www.elementscremation.com Obituary Page. Elements, the cremation company, (855) 550- 5151.

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Published by Kansas City Star on Jan. 22, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for MARILYN KENNEDY

Sponsored by Kansas City Star.

16 Entries

Joan Youngblood

October 21, 2023

This wise lady guided me as I provided career counseling to numerous individuals through my business. Her monthly newsletter booklet was always a source of insight into the confusing aspect of office politics. She will never know what a wonderful guide and mentor she was for so many. Joan Youngblood LPC RN BSN Creative Career Counseling in Dallas, Texas.

Mary Reed Kelly

November 5, 2017

Marilyn was a friend of my father, Dr. Ralph Reed, of Lawrence, Kansas and Washington, DC. I remember that he spoke well of her and introduced me to her once. I'm sorry for your loss.

Jeffrey Holzman

June 8, 2017

I Googled, hoping tonsee when and where Marilyn was speaking. I saw her several times at ROFDA. Her presentations were my favorite.

My condolences to her family.

Sally Riessen Hunt

April 19, 2017

Dear Dan & Anne,
This took me by surprise when I read her obituary in an NU publication. I share in your grief, for your wife and mother, and for my long time Northwestern friend.

Sally

Kevin Gaza

March 1, 2017

I can't thank Marilyn enough for her work on Office Politics. Her writings not only helped me in my career but countless others I have mentored and cared for. Brilliant competent people that didn't understand the importance of office politics. She made the world a better place. I thank her so much! God bless her.

Jan Garfield

February 15, 2017

Marilyn changed my life. She guided me throughout my career in higher education administration--sometimes gently, sometimes brutally, and always effectively and with wit, passion, insight, and genuine belief in the ability and gifts each of us brings to the process of making the world a better place. My prayers are for Marilyn and her family.

Jean Schmidt

February 13, 2017

I googled Marilyn because I wanted to invite her to an International Women'[s Forum retreat as a speaker only to discover she had succumbed to cancer. Marilyn spoke at a women's conference in Nashville and we became god friends visiting back and forth between Nashville and Chicago. When I moved to Chicago, Marilyn introduced me to executive women in Chicago and I was accepted into an executive women's group which made my move to Chicago a great adventure. Meeting all these women business leaders was a growth experience as was my position at Coe Taylor Financial Group. She was so encouraging and challenged me to see myself as something more than I envisioned. I am indebted to her for helping me be more successful in my career and in life. I love you Marilyn. I would love to show my respects at her memorial event. 9742 Jupiter Forest Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027

La Veta Zhantial

February 6, 2017

Our world was blessed with Marilyn and she will be sorely missed. Having known her since we were eleven years old, I've enjoyed her wit thru the school years and then, reconnecting at our 25th class reunion and staying connected thru the years, with our last personal visit this past October. She will continue to be on my mind as I reminisce about the special person she was in all ways. She was brilliant and down-to-earth at the same time a very rare combination. I will miss her. My heartfelt condolences to her husband, her daughter, and the family she leaves behind.

Hellena Smejda

January 27, 2017

Marilyn was hugely influential in my life, practically strong arming me into Medill (and helping me get a scholarship). She was always on her students' side and encouraged so many of us to look beyond short term goals. My deepest sympathy to her family. I will miss her. - Hellena Smejda

January 27, 2017

May she R.I.P and may God bless and comfort grieving family and friends at this difficult time.

B. Musial

January 24, 2017

"With deepest sympathy on your loss of Marilyn. May the power of prayer ease your sorrow, give you peace, and provide much comfort." Romans 12:12.

Tamara Jefferies

January 24, 2017

To my beautiful Aunt Marilyn. I always cherished our times together when I was a child. I always looked up to you and the rest of the family. God speed dear angel. We will meet again in Heaven.

Bob Kennedy

January 23, 2017

So sorry for your loss. Bob Kennedy

Bill Owen

January 23, 2017

While I haven't seen Marilyn in 51 years, I will always remember when she talked me into signing up for what turned out to be an extraordinarily fascinating lecture course at Northwestern, where business titans of yesteryear (such as Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds, Leonard Lavin, founder of Alberto-Culver, and W. Clement Stone, founder of Combined Insurance)explained how they changed the world and tried to motivate us to do the same. We were just 21 at the time. Marilyn was the only woman in the class, and she was a dynamo -- completely self-assured, very motivated, bubbling over with enthusiasm, and always with a big smile for everyone. Over the years, I periodically would read of her many accomplishments, all of which were to be expected given the outstanding person that she was. It's hard to believe how time has quickly melted away the ensuing 51 years. My deepest condolences to her family and many friends.

Johnny Strauss

January 23, 2017

Dan,

So very sorry to hear of Marilyn's passing. Please accept my condolences and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Johnny

MMK at Lyric Opera

Kate Abele

January 22, 2017

In loving memory of Marilyn - missing her energy, wit, kindness, and delight in always learning new things. Deepest condolences to her family as they mourn her passing and celebrate her remarkable life.

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