Walda S. 'Wally' Kennedy

WALDA S.  (WALLY)  KENNEDY

1923 – 2014

Walda S. (Wally) Kennedy was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on November 2, 1923. Her parents, Michael Susol and Marianne (Piuro) Susol, had immigrated to the United States from Poland/The Ukraine.  Her mother passed away when she was less than a year old, so she and her sister Jean were raised solely by their devoted father.  Having serious medical conditions when she was a young child could have caused her not to live life to the fullest, but having an adventurous and determined spirit, she embraced life’s challenges.  Graduating from Taunton High School, she went to college and worked for General Electric in their chemistry lab before being offered a job with the Weather Bureau.

As a young woman, she travelled by herself, driving from the east coast, across the United States to Winslow, Arizona where she pursued her career as a Meteorologist with the Weather Bureau .  She met Sam Kennedy and they married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winslow. Later they moved to Bishop, California, where she became the first woman supervisor with the National Weather Service.  Retiring after 37 years, Wally and Sam moved to Montrose, Colorado in 1980 to be near their daughter Jan, and grandchildren.  Her husband passed away in 1983.  Wally’s hobbies included sewing, and she was an accomplished, creative seamstress; flower gardening and collecting rocks; and travelling across the U.S. and Canada with her companion Harold Lockwood in his motorhome.

In 2007 she moved to Spring Creek Chalet where she made many good friends. Robert Bailey became her closest friend, spending lots of time together taking walks and reminiscing.  A very strong and determined lady, Wally took adversity in her life as a challenge and always seemed to find a silver lining in whatever cloud that got in her way.  Preceding her in death were her parents, Mike and Marianne Susol; her husband Sam; and a sister, Jean O’Brien of Taunton, Massachusetts.

Wally is survived by her daughter Jan and husband Don Gladwell, of Montrose; granddaughters Hidei and Dawn; grandsons Brent and Joe; and 4 great-grandchildren: Jared, Cael, Weston, and Sarah; and a favorite nephew Gregory O’Brien. The Family wants to thank the owners and staff at Spring Creek Chalet and at Heidi’s Chateau for all the care and attention over the past 6 years.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter, in memory of  Walda  Kennedy, 4104 Outlook Blvd., Bldg. B, Pueblo, Co.  81008, website is: www.alzfdn.org.  A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11:00 am up to service time at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.  The Funeral Service will follow the visitation on Thursday at 1:00 pm at Crippin Chapel, with Father Mike Walker officiating.  Interment will take place at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose, with a reception to follow.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado