Dorothy Jean Kennedy

Dorothy Jean Kennedy passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023 at the age of 97.  She is survived by her daughter, Nancy VanDenburg and son-in-law Lawrence VanDenburg.  Dorothy was blessed with three grandchildren:  David Searle (Julie), Lauren VanDenburg Roth (Bryan) and Ryan VanDenburg and three great-grandchildren, Trent Searle (14 yrs), Catherine Searle (12 yrs) and Mia Roth (22 months).  She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Donald Ralph Kennedy, both her parents and a baby sister who died at a very young age.

Dorothy was born on July 27, 1926 in Butler, Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Butler High School in 1944.  Her interests were music and she both sang and played the piano.  She worked at Traders Music Store in Butler during High School and after graduation.  Upon Donald’s return from active duty serving with the US Army in Europe during World War II, the couple resumed dating and married shortly after, on June 25, 1948.  He attended college, majoring in Engineering and accepted a position with International Business Machines, eventually retiring from IBM.

In 1958, the family moved from Pennsylvania to Lakewood, California.  Dorothy obtained employment doing clerical work in the Dietary Department of Kaiser Hospital in Bellflower.  Her musical interests continued throughout her life, and she sang in various civic choruses and also the church choir at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach.  She was a member of the Friends of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and numerous animal charities.  She was an animal lover and provided a loving home for several stray dogs and cats over the years.

Dorothy was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed very much and her family, friends and all who knew her.

A service will be held at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 1 pm.