Joanne Lorene Kennedy

Joanne Lorene DeLay Kennedy born in Guide Rock, NE on August 13, 1926 to Amelia Boom and Earl DeLay. She attended school in Bridgeport and Scottsbluff, NE as her father played baseball in the Nebraska State League as a pitcher. She later attended Guide Rock Public Schools and graduated in 1944. She continued her education at Hastings College and later at Front Range Community College where she obtained an associate’s degree.

In 1945, she married Ronald “Mike“ Kennedy who was in the Navy at the time. They made their home at Mare Island Naval Yard until his discharge. They returned for a short time to Nebraska, then moved to Gresham, OR and later to Colorado where they lived in Fort Collins, Johnstown and finally in Longmont. Later she moved back to Fort Collins where she passed peacefully on June 7, 2023.

They had five children, Michael Douglas born in Vallejo, CA; Patricia Colleen born in Red Cloud, NE; Kathleen Collette born in Fort Collins, CO; Brian Kelly born in Greeley, CO; Karen Christine born in Longmont, CO. She was always involved in their activities in school, church, sports and scouting. Happy times were spent camping as a family, mostly in the Poudre Valley area.

Joanne had a varied work history as a rural teacher in Nebraska, selling Avon products, representing Tiara Ware (a glass company party plan). Her work history in Longmont included Everitt Lumber Company, Hilltop Glass, Joslins Department Store and finally as a file clerk for Grant, Bernard, Lyons and Gaddis Law Firm.

She always enjoyed the many trips and activities of the Longmont Senior Center. She was very interested in history - especially American History and the settling of the west. She especially enjoyed going to Meals on Wheels at the Senior Center where the exchange of stories was a highlight of her day. She was a friendly person but had strong views and didn’t mind expressing them. She always fought for what she believed was right – especially women’s rights. She possessed a quick wit and sense of humor and loved to make people laugh with her many stories. She was an avid reader and had filled several book cases of her collection. It was said she couldn’t pass by a book store.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary – former member of League of Women Voters and also active in Longmont Democrats. She was a charter member with the American Baptist Women’s Ministries and a volunteer with the Head Start program of Longmont. She had previous memberships in Colorado Historical Society, St Vrain Historical Society, Soroptimists and activities of Newcomers. She belonged to the Longmont Christian Singles and to the card group within that group. She enjoyed her membership at the Westview Presbyterian Church and the outreach of the programs there – especially the Round Pantry.

She is preceded in death by her parents Amelia and Earl DeLay, her brothers Bill DeLay and Steve DeLay. She is survived by her brother Jack DeLay of Eugene, OR; son Michael (Karen) Kennedy of Amarillo, TX; daughter Patricia Knutson (Jim) of Camarillo, CA; daughter Kathleen Gordon (Jeff) of Evansville, IN; son Brian Kelly Kennedy (Barb) of Lyons, CO; Karen Christine Wing (Chuck) of Longmont, CO. She also leaves seven grandchildren Kerry Kennedy Smith, Douglas (Nikki) Kennedy, Andrew (Caitlin) Gordon, Alex (Emily) Gordon, Brian (Sydney) Kennedy, Austin (Nikki) Wing, Derek (Casey) Wing. Along with 12 great grandchildren Sam (Christine) Smith, Grace Smith, Ben Smith, Isaac Kennedy, Alyce Kennedy, Walter Gordon, Jacob Gordon, Henry Gordon, Evelyn Gordon, Tristin Wing, Raelynn Wing, Bentley Wing.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Kennedy family.