Constance Maureen Kennedy

As a young woman, Connie was a member of 4H, Sanger chapter of Rainbow Girls, and was Homecoming Queen. Connie graduated from Sanger High School in 1962 and attended Fresno State College. She worked for the telephone company while waiting for her fiancé, Dennis, to complete his service in the Air National Guard.

On April 11, 1964, Connie married her high school sweetheart Dennis Kennedy, also of Sanger. A few months shy of their 48th anniversary, on January 26, 2012, Dennis passed away. They have two sons, Curtis and Chris, and during their youth, Connie enjoyed being “mom-at-home” to her boys and all of their friends. She had cookies and milk after school for the neighborhood, was the boys’ soccer Team Mom, and ran the school carnival. Connie was also an active member of the Los Rancheros Guild for Valley Children’s Hospital. In 1980, Connie decided to join the workforce and went to work for Dr. Gerald Mon Pere in the front office until he retired in 1997.

Connie was proud to watch Curtis and Chris mature into outstanding men with families of their own. She was excited to officially become “Mom” to both of her daughters-in-laws and finally have “her” girls. But, Connie’s ultimate delight was her three grandchildren: Alex, Christina and Tiffany.

She and Dennis were present at most of the grandchildren’s events including karate, soccer, water polo, dance competitions, fashion shows, church events and award banquets. Connie has also been “Nanny” to her grandchildren’s friends and even taught a few of her “adopted grandkids” to cook. She sometimes took them with her own grandchildren on vacation and especially enjoyed going to the family house in Cayucos, which Connie considered her “own little paradise.”

Connie and Dennis loved to travel with their dear friends, Gary and Kathy Hodges. They spent time together at family homes in Cayucos and Pine Mountain, and sometimes even took their grandchildren along. The two couples cruised together to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Vietnam, and China. Together they explored Las Vegas, Reno, Montana, South Dakota, The Grand Canyon, Washington State and Western Canada. Quick trips to local casinos were also a mini getaway for the two couples.

Connie was an Expert Party Planner; holiday and family celebrations were her favorite occasions to host. Her home was The Place for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, retirement and wedding celebrations and no one ever left Connie’s house hungry. Her pool was often filled with teenagers enjoying end-of-the-year school or sports parties. Connie welcomed everyone with a huge, warm smile and guests often left feeling they were instantly part of Connie’s family.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband Dennis and her father Alfred Schengel. She will be dearly missed by her sons Curtis and Chris; daughters-in-law Roben and Cheryl; grandchildren Alex, Christina and Tiffany Kennedy; mother Lenore Schengel; brother John Schengel; sister-in-law Bonnie Bland and her husband John; 2 aunts, nephews, nieces, 2 grandnieces and her dog Wendy.

A Celebration of Connie’s life will be held at Clovis Hills Community Church at 10590 N. Willow Ave. in Clovis, on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

Connie’s family would like to thank all of her doctors and caregivers at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Remembrances may be made to Valley Children’s Hospital, any hospice or charity of your choice.