- Date Of Birth: March 27, 1926
- Date Of Death: February 28, 2011
- State: Illinois
Jean Reynolds Kennedy, age 84, of Princeton, New Jersey, died Monday, February 28, 2011, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered always as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and dedicated friend.
She was born on March 27, 1926 in Putnam, Illinois to the late Floyd and Edna Reynolds. The first of six children, she grew up as Betty Jean Reynolds in Princeton, Illinois graduating from Tiskilwa High School. She married Leo F. Kennedy of Galesburg, Illinois, on November 22, 1956 in Brimfield, Illinois. They were married 33 years until his death in 1989. They had one child, Anne L. Kennedy, who lives in Princeton, New Jersey. Leo and Jean co-owned and operated the Canada Dry Bottling and Distribution plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 18 years. They relocated to Peoria, Illinois in 1973 where Jean worked as the financial coordinator for two separate law firms: Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, LLC and then later, Swain, Johnson & Gard.
She retired in 1995 and moved to New Jersey where she lived with her daughter and her family. Jean had a gregarious personality who touched the hearts of many. One of her inspirational qualities was her gift of conversation and her ability to create multiple and long-lasting friendships. Her sense of fashion stood out. She was an active member in multiple associations including an officer with the Quester’s Antique Association, a member of the Ballroom Dancing Association, Polka A’s, the B.P.O. of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. She played bridge throughout her life and most recently was a member of the West Windsor, NJ Senior Center Bridge Club. She found joy in giving back to others and hosting social events.Jean’s legacy is her family. She dedicated her 16 years in New Jersey to providing love, care and never-ending support to her daughter, grandchildren and pets. She touched all of their lives with her cooking; her love of plants and birds, her conversations about politics and world affairs; her love for college basketball and major league baseball; and her principled standards and work ethic.
Jean loved sharing in her relatives’ lives and cherished her grandchildren. Jean will be remembered by her daughter, Anne Kennedy, her son-in-law, Rees Morrison, her sister, Bonnie Reynolds, her brother, Gary Reynolds, her grandchildren: Michelle Anne, William Rees, and all of her family and friends who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by two sisters, Ann Shipp and Janice Peters, one brother, Floyd Reynolds, Jr., and her first husband, Charles Kessling.
