Ursula Marie (Jones) Kennedy, 92, of Dallas, TX, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church on Friday, December 7th, at 11:00am with Father Michael Guadagnoli acting as celebrant. She will be laid to rest, next to her husband, at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida at a later date.
Ursula was born on January 16, 1926 in Oklahoma, the third of four children to Lewis and Marguerite (Graves) Jones. She grew up in Pampa, TX and married Richard (Dick) A. Kennedy, a few years her senior, whom she had known most of her life as the families were friends.
Shortly after the birth of their 5th child, Dick began working for the US Government as a geologist and groundwater hydrologist on US coordinated projects with other countries. He would be sent to a country (Thailand, Guatemala, Pakistan) for the length of the project and Ursula would pack up the kids and household in order for the family to live together for the duration of each project. Even though she was far from family and friends, she enjoyed these years.
Ursula, was widowed at 43, only 3 years after the birth of her 6th child and remained single the rest of her life. She was active in her church, most especially the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and had many friends as well as belonging to many bridge groups. People often commented on her strength and sweet nature as she was someone who was more concerned with others needs than her own.
She is survived by her 4 daughters, Ursula K. Bedrossian of Austin, TX, Zita L. Kennedy of Trout Springs, MT, Shannon M. Stepanek (Mark) of Dallas, TX, Colleen M. Hurd (Philip) of Austin, TX, 8 grandchildren: Vanessa Bedrossian, Richard Bedrossian, Robert Bedrossian, Ryan Kennedy, Erin (Kennedy) Rutecki, Matthew Stepanek, Murphee Stepanek, Cassie Stepanek and numerous great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Kennedy, son, Richard L. Kennedy and son, Michael C. Kennedy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The St. Vincent de Paul Society of North Texas (https://svdpdallas.org/) or Catholic Charities of Dallas (https://ccdallas.org/ ).
The family would like to express their gratitude towards the staff, nurses and administration of The Avenues of Park Forest Assisted Living facility in Dallas, TX where Ursula lived her last 5 years. The gentleness, humor, compassion and uplifting spirit of the staff helped to make mom’s final years one’s of comfort and fun.
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