Marion Louise Kennedy

Marion Louise (Black) Kennedy, 99, born in Newton, MA, daughter of Maude Plummer Black and Frank Black; attended Newton High School; graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1943 with a major in Mathematics.

She was recruited to work in Naval Communications in Washington DC during WWII. Thereafter she married Richard Kennedy and they raised two children. Her husband’s work took the family to South Africa and thereafter to Bethesda, MD. She was an active Girl Scout leader for her daughters’ troops. In the 1960’s she joined the work force again and became a computer programmer.

Marion grew up with Cape Cod sand between her toes during summers at her parents’ cottage in Dennisport. She has enjoyed living in Orleans full-time since 1980 when she and her husband retired there from Maryland.

Marion was an active member of The Federated Church of Orleans. There she rang handbells, served on the committee for the Meeting House Preschool for over 30 years, and helped at many chowder suppers. She was honored for her longtime voluntarism with the Agnes Hopkins Life of the Church Award in 2019.

She delivered Meals on Wheels and knew all of the local back roads. She was an active volunteer for Homeless Prevention Council, Lower Cape Outreach Council, and Habitat for Humanity.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and her companion in later years, Fred Coe.

She is survived by her daughters Carolyn Kennedy (Judy Keller), Kathleen Kennedy (Ken Dennis); grandchildren Julia Dennis and Steven Dennis (Ellen); and her pride and joy, great granddaughter, Kennedy Dennis.

A family service in her honor will be held at a future date.

Donations in Marion’s memory may be directed to The Federated Church of Orleans, 162 Main Street, Orleans, MA 02653 or Homeless Prevention Council, PO Box 828, Orleans, MA 02653.