Terry Catherine Kennis

Terry Catherine Kennis, born July 22, 1934, has passed away August 23, 2109. Born in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter to her late parents, Cuyler and Mary Vincent Poor. She is survived by her sister, Martha O’Brien; her brother, John Poor; two nephews, Jim and Dan O’Brien; her five nieces, Barbara Struble, Susan Wagner, Carin Wagner Brown, Christy Wagner and Anne Marie O’Brien; her grandson, Tom Trispagonas and his wife, Stephanie; and her five great-granddaughters, Sophia Trispagonas, Ella Trispagonas, Magdalyn Trispagonas, Kathryn Trispagonas and Teresa Trispagonas.

Terry was a graduate of Northwestern University. Early in her career, she headed a small advertising agency in New York. She married and adopted her daughter, Barbara. Years later, she retired to aid a Franciscan convent in Mexico City. She became a Third Order Franciscan and helped publish their newsletters and spiritual writings.

She returned to Northern Virginia, where she was employed as an office manager at Angle, Inc. and lived with her sister, Martha, for many years. In that time, she was devoted to her family (and especially loved her daughter and grandson), friends and strangers alike. She was known to befriend the homeless and visit “her patients” at various mental hospitals on a regular basis. She never thought twice to share her time and talents with anyone in need.

Terry was also an avid writer and published her own books, including Splinters from the Cross of Christ (a collection of Catholic short stories, published by San Andres Press) and a translation of Dona Emilia Prado Bazan’s Saint Francis of Assisi 13th Century (a biography of the great saint, published by Loreto Publications).

A visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home on August 30, 2019 from 6 to 8 pm at 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22151. A private burial will be held on September 4, 2019 at Bloomfield Cemetery at South Church St, New Bloomfield, PA 17068. In lieu of flowers, please consider taking a moment to pray the rosary in her honor.