Kathryn Diane Kennedy

Kathryn (Kathy) Gray Kennedy, 70, passed away October 19, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. A longtime resident of Lenexa, KS, Kathy was able to spend the entirety of her illness in the comfort of her home surrounded by family, friends, and her beloved cats.

Kathy was born in Ellsworth, KS on August 16, 1953, to Herman A. Gray and Laurel Steele Gray, both of which preceded her in death.

After skipping her senior year and graduating from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1970 at the age of 16, she jetted off to Scotland to live with a long-time pen pal and experience life in another culture. As was her nature, she wanted to experience and see it all. She would continue this explorative nature throughout her life, living in Nebraska, Washington, and California (where she lived in a commune). Kathy experimented with a variety of professions, including NBA photography before settling on technical writing, where she excelled in her career and naturally migrated into management at Informix Software and IBM. She ended her career at Farmers Insurance where she was responsible for building a sustainable Knowledge Management methodology and team.

Kathy graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Interpersonal Communications. With her love of sports, and especially basketball, she of course became an avid, lifelong Jayhawk fan!

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Briana Buelt (Joseph), three grandchildren: Liam, Henry, and Stella, her brother, Brad Gray (Misa), niece, Emily LaRocca (Jason), nephew, Mitch Gray, and many extended family and lifelong friends.

Kathy’s one unyielding request following her cancer diagnosis was to remain in her house, which would not have been possible without the support, patience and dedication of her dear friend, Shelly Sunderland.

A memorial service for Kathryn will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112.

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