Elizabeth "Liz" Blute

Elizabeth Kennedy Blute - extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, and businesswoman passed away peacefully at her home in Shrewsbury, MA on January 5, 2022. She was 72.
Liz was born in Worcester, MA on September 16, 1949, daughter of the late William H. Kennedy, Jr., and Sally M. (McCann) Kennedy. She grew up in Worcester and lived more than 24 years in Northborough, MA before recently moving to Shrewsbury, MA. The second of four daughters, she was raised on Monadnock Road in Worcester and graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1967, and in 1971 from Cardinal Cushing College in Brookline where she studied education.
She met the love of her life, Dr. Robert D. Blute, Jr., at a Forest Grove dance in 1964. Bob was besotted by her sparkling personality and megawatt smile, and at the sight of her dark hair and brown eyes a 57-year love affair began. Bob and Liz were married at Immaculate Conception Church on June 26, 1971. Soon thereafter, Liz began her career as an elementary school teacher. Liz loved children and had a special gift communicating with them and knew how to make them feel special.
When Bob graduated from Tufts Medical School, he continued his six years of training in the Harvard Program in Urology at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. The Blutes resided in Wellesley where Liz managed a busy family life raising their three children Bobby, Matt, and Courtney. They returned to Worcester in 1980 when Bob joined his father, Dr. Robert D. Blute, Sr. in the practice of Urology.
Her husband, Bob, remembers, "Liz was extremely busy managing a life with three growing children while I was usually at the hospital. I was in awe of her skill in caring for our children and filling our lives with fun and love - always with a smile - despite my long hours away. It was a joy to watch...she was magic."
Liz was surrounded by a wide circle of friends in Worcester, and was very active in charitable and educational causes including: Flagg Street School, Venerini Academy, The Bancroft School, St. John's High School, where she was a member of the Parents Council, and the Notre Dame Academy Alumni Association.
Her children, Bobby, Matt, and Courtney recall, "Mom always put her children's needs before her own. She was our biggest supporter and advocate. There wasn't a soccer field, basketball court, or school event where you wouldn't find her beautiful and bright smile cheering us on. She raised all of us to be hardworking, polite, family-driven individuals. When we were growing up, our Mom always made sure that our friends and cousins felt welcome in our home. She took pride in the fact that she knew all their nicknames. So many of our friends still feel more like family, and they lovingly refer to her as Mrs. B. Now, with our own families, we have tried to emulate our Mother's generosity and kindness of spirit with the people that our children have brought into our lives."
Liz created a home with love and passion. She had exquisite taste and an innate sense of style that was undeniable. Her talent for aesthetics was unique, and as her children grew older, she launched a fashion and apparel business called R. Bague with three dear friends. Because of her keen business sense, she also ran Bob's medical practice for many years, and they enjoyed working side by side. Amid her busy work life, she was also a devoted daughter and caregiver to her father, William H. Kennedy, Jr. Along with her sisters Clare and Christine, Liz comforted him with loving care in his later years. Liz's seven grandchildren call her by her own childhood nickname, "Libby." She loved watching them grow and reveled in the joy of their many gifts and accomplishments.
Her husband, Bob, was her constant source of joy and love in her life. As her health began to fail her in recent years he told her, "You took the first half, I'll take the second half." As Bob cared for Liz at home, they became even closer - enjoying quiet moments together that their previously busy lives had not always allowed. Liz passed away peacefully at home with her beloved Bob, as always, by her side.
Liz leaves her husband of 50 years, Dr. Robert D. Blute Jr.; three children: Robert D. Blute III and his wife, Betty McCann Blute, and their sons, Robert S. "Bobby" and Jack W. of Worcester, MA; Matthew W. Blute and his wife, Erin K. Blute, and their children, Kelly E. and Ryan A. of Fairfield, CT; and Courtney K. Blute Perna and her husband, Thomas J. Perna, Jr., and their sons, Thomas J. III, Matthew E. "Teddy," and William K. of Washington, D.C.: two sisters, Clare K. Condron and her husband P. Kevin Condron of Rye, N.H., and Christine M. Kennedy of Plymouth, MA; and many nieces and nephews. Her sister, Paula B. Kennedy, passed away in 2017.
After a private family wake, a public funeral Mass is planned at Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester, MA on Saturday, January 15, at 11am. Wearing of masks is required in church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Liz can be made to: St. John's Parish Food Pantry or The American Heart Association.
The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.