WESTFIELD – Joan W. (Wolanin) Kennedy, 86, (1937-2023) passed away on Friday, August 18th, 2023 at home. She was born in Springfield to the late Lawrence and Florence (Kogut) Wolanin and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She was employed as a First Grade Teacher for Chicopee School for many years. Joan loved her pets, gardening and feeding the birds.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Thomas F. Kennedy in 2018 and is survived by her stepchildren, Sheila A. Conroy and her husband Patrick of Westfield, Kevin Kennedy and his wife Mary Ellen of West Springfield, Michael Kennedy and his wife Julie of Westfield, Aileen Becker and her husband Howard of Chandler AZ and Patrick Kennedy and his wife Laurie of Westfield, her grandchildren, Melissa Richter, Rebecca Kennedy, Aimee Becker, Sean Kennedy, Liam Kennedy, great-grandchildren, Eli and Emma Richter, her brother Lawrence Wolanin of Rockledge FL, her nephew David Wolanin and his wife Donna of Westfield and Debra Nalls of Florida.
The family also wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors, healthcare workers, too numerous to mention, who helped Joan to spend her final days at home.
Her funeral will be held on Friday, August 25th, 2023 at 11 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church, 335 Elm Street, Westfield, followed by burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Western Avenue, Westfield. Visiting hours will precede the Mass from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Donations in Joan’s name may be directed to the Westfield Homeless Cat Project, 1124 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085. www.firtionadams.com
