Marie Lise Kennedy

1945 - 2022

Marie Lise Kennedy

Whately, MA — Tribute and Message from The Family

"An Inch of Ground the Lightning Strook

But Lit the Sky with Flame." -RWE

Whately: Marie Lise Kennedy, nee Moisan, beloved wife to Roger Kennedy; mother of three, grandmother of 8, great grandmother of 2, spiritual mother to legions, passed away August 8th.

Born in Quebec on March 17th,1945, Lise grew up in Loretteville, an historic section of Central Quebec City. The Moisan family ran a bakery and chocolatiers. The youngest of three children, Lise learned how to run a business from a tender age. The deep ties of family endured even when she left the nest for another country.

Swept off her feet by Roger 'Dan' Kennedy, Lise arrived in Whately with little English but an excess of heart.

She is survived by her husband Dan, children Michelle Kennedy Whitney, Roger 'Marc' Kennedy, John 'JP' Kennedy, and his wife Ellen Coss Kennedy. Grandchildren Dominique and Gabrielle Whitney, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Conor, and Bridget Kennedy, Sebastian and Ian Coss, and great grandchildren William and Henry Coss also mourn her passing. She leaves heartbroken siblings in Quebec, Murielle and Rejean Moisan, and their extended families. Dan's sister Kit and her family continue to mourn the recent passing of their father, Lise's brother-in-law Paul Fleuriel.

Lise was your greatest fan, your coach, the person in your corner. She gave strength even when you didn't know it was needed, and a kick in the pants, lovingly applied, also as necessary. She may have given birth to three children, but she was mother to countless others who, in our time of mourning, reach out with stories of how Lise changed their lives.

A hard-working woman, her can-do attitude set the bar high. Leading by example, she etched deep the drive to achieve. Despite a lifelong struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, she never allowed it to rule her life. With sparkling eyes and a ready smile, she drove all over New England for swim meets, maintained immaculate gardens, finding joy in every day.

Daughter of an entrepreneur, Lise worked harder than most in diverse jobs. Her lifetime of work helped to provide numerous experiences for the family. When she wasn't working, she was driving the kids and grandkids to swim meets, music lessons, horseback riding, in short, whatever was needed. At home she was the queen of follow through, presiding over violin practice, homework and of course, lessons in cooking.

She knew we would face challenges but that given time and effort we are all capable of success. Her belief in us was as boundless as the oceans of pool water cleaved by Michelle, Marc, and JP as they swam their way to the podiums at swim meets.

There were times that she did not understand our choices. "No matter" she would say, with a gallic shrug and a slight click of the tongue. Unlike many parents, she did not agonize over us as we lumbered towards adulthood. She did not need to; for she knew something many of us still struggle to recognize. Lise knew that her brood- children, grands, greats, extended family and all- that we are perfect. She knew this the way she knew that the grass needed mowing and weeds needed to be whacked.

We shall never know why we were blessed to have such a powerful woman as our personal cheerleader. What we do know is that being the focus of such intense love and devotion continues to be a gift beyond measure, a gift that continues to unfold throughout the family.

Having the family arrayed about the table was her true pride and joy; often silent she would sit smiling, watching everyone feasting and sharing stories. Special days started with a full court press of shopping, decorating, and baking. Assisting Lise in her preparations was a master class in cooking traditional French-Canadian treats such as ragout or how to bake 24 pies- from scratch- in a single afternoon. If you passed through the kitchen, before you knew it you were covered in flour or peeling pounds of apples.

And so, she has left us, but not without tracking flour across our hearts, reminding us that it is better to shrug and laugh than to pound one's breast. It is a nearly impossible act to follow, her lightning that set our very air alight.

"I am not leaving

I am arriving at eternal love." -Rumi

Calling hours will be at Wrisley Funeral Home, 90 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield on Friday Sept. 2nd, 5 to 7 pm and on Saturday Sept. 3rd, from 8:30-9:30 am.

A funeral mass will take place at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield Mass, followed by burial at Whately Center Cemetery.

Following the internment, the family welcomes you to a reception held at South Deerfield Polish American Club, 46 South Main St., South Deerfield, Mass.

Memorial Donations may be made in her name to:

*The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre

Secretariat of the Shire

9797 Saint Anne Blvd

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre QC G0A 3C0

Canada

Sanctuairesainteanne.org

Or the

*Whately Elementary School

Musical Instrument Fund

Checks payable Whately Elementary School

c/o Whately Town Offices

4 Sandy Ln., South Deerfield, Ma 01373