Betsey Jane Kennedy

At 95, Betsey Jane Kennedy passed away peacefully June 2, 2017, in Salem, OR. Betsey was born October 18th, 1921 in West York, Ill to parents Harlin and Elnora Steinbaugh. In 1923 Betsey, her parents and 4 older siblings moved to Los Angeles, CA. Betsey attended various area schools while growoing up. Seven months after a July 4th blind date, Betsey married the love of her life, Emery "Ken" Kennedy, on February 2, 1940. Ken had come to Los Angles a few years earlier from Des Moines, IA.

After living in Los Angeles, Bishop and Sacramento, CA, the couple and their four children (Kristin, Candice, Forrest and Brian) moved to Valdez, Alaska in 1954 and then to Juneau in 1956. Betsey held secretarial jobs with the Forest Service, Coast Guard and the IRS. The family enjoyed the fellowship of the Episcopal Church and living in Douglas.

Ken's job as a safety officer for BLM sent the family (minus Kris) to Washington, DC. in 1961, where they lived until his retirement from the Dept of the Navy in 1974. Betsey held clerical jobs in several federal agencies. Retirement years began with a move to northern New Mexico where they also spent many miles 'on the road' visiting family, friends and new places searching out new roads in the US, Canada and Mexico.

In 1988, following a 6 week trip to Australia and New Zealand, Betsey and Ken returned to live near family (Kris) in one of their favorite places, Juneau. Betsey enjoyed her summer time as a volunteer visitor greeter for the cruise ships.

With Ken's declining health in late 2000, they moved to Salem, OR, near son Dr. Brian Kennedy. Following her husband's death in Jan 2001, Betsey remained in Salem for the next 16 years, enjoying cruises, car trips and family visits.

Ever the creative one with knitting needles, art work, cooking and stories to be told, Betsey lived a long life, full of adventure and family. She loved playing games and usually won, as attested to by her grandkids. Betsey "Grammie" will be remembered as reslient, resourceful and for her force of presence.

Preceeding her in death were husband Emery "Ken", sister Ramona (Romines) Thompson, brothers Duane Romines, Felix Romines, and Eppy Pearson. Survivors are children Kristin (Da vid) Gray of Juneau,AK; Candice Shuman of Trout Lake,WA; Forrest (Cathy) Kennedy of Locust Grove,VA and Brian (Candace) Kennedy of Salem, OR. Grandchildren include Robin (Melissa) Gray of Mystic,CT; Holly (Joe) Salowey of Seattle, WA; Heidi (Jon Drezner) Gray of Seattle, WA; John (Marcy) Shuman of Trout Lake, WA; Eric (Cyndy) Shuman of Bend, OR; Cynthia (Pele) Shuman-Petterrson of La Jolla,CA; Jason (Beth) Kennedy of Gig Harbor, WA; Craig (Bianca) Kennedy of Springfield, VA; Todd Kennedy of Salem, OR and Kevin Kennedy of Los Angeles, CA. Betsey has 18 great grandchildren.

At Betsey's request, no services will be held. In her honor give your loved ones an extra hug.

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.