Betty Kennedy

Betty knew that when life hands you lemons… squeeze them into some sweet iced tea and thank God you were born a southern girl! She could balance the gentle dichotomy of her outspoken nature with a generous helping of Southern charm; she’d think nothing of razzing you, but was always ready to give you the shirt off her back. She drove a school bus in Edgewater Park and Burlington, but it was always more than just a job. Even recently, former students would still drop by her home in Edgewater Park to say hi to “Mama Kennedy”, or perhaps they were hoping to be treated to some of her famous peach cobbler. Betty spent many years as a military wife. While this adventure took her from Florida to Sicily to England to Massachusetts to New Jersey she always brought her sense of hospitality with her. While oversees she set up kitchens to feed the less fortunate and even volunteered to help other wives with adjusting to life abroad. The excitement that came with travel paled in comparison to the joy of her family. Nothing made her happier than her children and grandchildren.

In the late 1970s Betty was in a minor fender bender with a sailor named Donald who was stationed in Florida. While he looked over the damage to the cars, she became fixated on his eyes, as well as his many other attributes. It was not long until the two were married. Together, their lives were blessed by their children: Annette Martinez (Luis) of Willingboro and SFC Donald F. Kennedy II of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, again by their grandchildren: Brennon, Colin, Aubrie and Santana. Betty is also survived by her step-daughter, Katrina Freeburn and is the sister of Catherine Nicholson, Christine Leach, Faye Thomas, Charles Warren and the late Buck Warren.

Come celebrate Betty’s 62 wonderful years (Dec. 18, 1950-Mar. 20, 2013) Sunday from 3PM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, 478 Cooper St., Beverly, NJ where the service will be at 5. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
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