Paulette Theresa Kennedy

Paulette Kennedy (91) left this world on December 14, 2024. She was the daughter of Erville and Loretta Kaercher (LaBadie) and sister to eight siblings. Preceding in death, brothers Carlym and Robert (Chris) Kaercher. Also preceding in death, sister Loretta (Jim) Battistoni. Paulette's other siblings include Joel Kaercher of Florida, Richard Kaercher (Judy) of Indiana, Evelyn Wilmeth (Dave) of Indiana, Anita (Allan) of Florida, and Lawrence (Judy) of Michigan.
Paulette was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. During the hardest of years (The Depression), Paulette found joy playing with her siblings and being raised by her parents. After graduating from Visitation High School, she would soon meet her future husband, Joseph Kennedy.
Paulette and Joe spent many years raising their ten children: Theresa Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy (Sue), Steven Kennedy (Jackie), Susan Kennedy, Doreen Kennedy (John O'Brien), Joyce Kennedy-Shackelford (Michael), Paulette Kennedy, Maureen Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy, and Brian Kennedy (Kelly). Paulette also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Paulette was very organized, and her children are still not sure how she managed all ten kids, cooked, cleaned, and kept a very tidy house! If that weren't enough, Paulette never turned away a child in need, and you would often see another little head or two sitting at the dinner table. Paulette was a fantastic cook, and Sunday dinner was always her children's favorite.
In 1973, Paulette and Joe packed up all children who had not yet graduated from high school and moved to Indiana. It was there they continued raising their family until the mid-1980s, when they moved to Arizona and finished raising their caboose, Brian.
Paulette decided it was time for another career after raising her family and took a position in accounting. This new chapter in her life reflected her unwavering determination and adaptability. She embraced the challenge of learning a new field with the same dedication she had given to raising her children. Her colleagues admired her work ethic and the quiet confidence she brought to every task, though she always kept her age a well-guarded secret-a testament to her belief that hard work, not years, defined a person. She never disclosed her age to anyone at work (it was "none of their business!"), and she was right. Paulette retired from her full-time accounting position at the age of 80 and spent the rest of her life enjoying time with her family, attending mass, and volunteering at The Casa.
Paulette was a very strong, hardworking woman. During difficult times, she leaned on that strength even harder, just as she had done as a child during the Depression. Paulette could turn a penny into a dollar when necessary while raising her children. It is her children's only hope that they retain the strength their mother, Paulette, had as they continue with their own lives and families.
Paulette will be missed immensely as it will not be the same without the matriarch.
Dear Mom,
We don't know how you survived the ten of us, but you did. Then you moved on to have a full-time career and refused to retire until the age of 80. Not many women accomplished what you did in all those years.
It's time now. May you rest in peace.