Obituary of Dorothy Kennedy

Dorothy Carol Kennedy (Reesik) January 7, 1945 – October 27, 2023 It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our precious wife and mom, Dorothy Carol Kennedy on October 27, 2023. Mom died at the age of 78 from Metastatic Breast Cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Vegreville, Alberta, in the arms of her husband of 60 years, Jim Kennedy. Mom was born on January 7, 1945, in Notikewin, Alberta to Mary and Bill Reesik, and was sister to Laura, Virginia, Marjorie, Katherine, Lyle, Danny and Sonny. She grew up in the area, and at 19, married her husband James (Jim) Kennedy on April 24, 1964, in Manning, Alberta. We found her marriage certificate, still in the front section of her wallet after almost 60 years. She gave birth to me, her first daughter Darlene, in March 1965 in Manning. In 1967 they decided to make the bold move to Fort McMurray, Alberta, where Dad began a long career in Mining. Their second daughter, Donna, was born in December of that year. A devoted wife and young Mom, she put her heart and soul into making a home for us. Money was tight in those early years, but we never knew it. Mom sewed, baked, cooked and created, and still had time to dress our dolls and help (and often do) our homework. She sat in the stands at the rink while we skated, hour after hour after hour, and designed and sewed the best skating dresses in the competition. She volunteered her time without hesitation – sewing costumes for the ice shows, driving kids to the rink, and sitting on the board at Noralta FSC. Mom never missed a parent/teacher interview, school field trip, or special occasion. Mom was a true artist, talented at everything she did. Her creativity would be passed down to many family members through the years. She was an exceptional human being, whose attributes are just too numerous to mention here. She became a florist by trade once we were old enough for her to go to work. Of course, Mom was amazing at it, and she truly loved her work. Mom and Dad left Fort McMurray to start a cattle farm in the 1980’s, and Mom loved her cows! We spent many days at the farm with the girls, and so many wonderful memories with family were created there. Mom became a grandma for the first time in 1994 when I had Megan, and from that day forward, she was affectionately known as “Baba”. She wore the badge so proudly and happily, and devoted herself to her two granddaughters, Megan and Alisha, who would be born to my sister Donna in 1996. In true Baba fashion, she, along with my dad, spoiled the girls rotten, but we let her have her fun because it gave her so much Joy. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my mom’s most precious passion – her dogs! We used to say that she loved her dogs more than she did her own kids. I know she didn’t REALLY, but it did seem like it! She was happiest with a dog by her side, cuddled up with her for a nap, or laying at her feet while she worked on one of her numerous hand-stitched quilts. She often babysat her “grand dogs”, also spoiling them with home cooked meals, and she was incapable of having a snack or a meal without sharing some with the dogs. Mom was one of a kind – irreplaceable to so many of us. She will be missed so terribly by her husband Jim, daughters Darlene (me) and Donna and their husbands Joe and Faron, granddaughters Megan (Brandon) and Alisha (Ian), her precious puppies Sparky and Ruby, sister Katherine, brothers Danny (Kathy) and Lyle and many nieces and nephews who all had a place in her heart. There were so many people who were near and dear to my mom that I can’t possibly list them all here.... you know who you are. Mom left behind a lot of love and so many memories to treasure. She did not want a funeral or celebration of her life; she wanted each one of you to raise a glass in her honor and think of her when you’re having a nighttime snack with your dog or sharing a funny story or memory of her (we all know how much she swore!!). Mom hated it when people made a fuss over her – she was happiest doing that for others. She was sadly predeceased by her sisters Laura Lovlin, Virginia Quinney and Marjorie Thompson. She missed them immensely. She was also predeceased by her brother Sonny Reesik, as well as her parents, Mary and Bill. We will miss you, Mom. We will miss you forever. May you rest in everlasting peace XO.