Nancy Ellen Kennedy

Nancy Ellen (Dyer) Kennedy, 77 passed away at home, holding the hand of her husband, Karl, after several months of increasing physical challenges; her body simply had enough of this life, and she passed on to a wonderful life in God’s Greater Kingdom. Nancy was the daughter of William and Dorothy Dyer of West Deer Township, members of East Union Presbyterian Church, where Nancy was baptized and remained a member all her life. She graduated from West Deer High School in 1964 and earned her R.N. Diploma in 1967 at Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, New Kensington followed by her B.S. degree at Slippery Rock State College in 1970. She was part of the initial staff of Citizens’ cardiac intensive care unit before becoming Assistant Director of Nursing for the hospital. Nancy, who dreamed of working as a nurse since childhood, loved her career and the people with whom she worked.  Tragically, she was injured in an automobile accident in 1978 and was no longer able to work.  With great effort—her own, members of her family, many friends, and medical and rehabilitation personnel—she had a remarkable life as a wife, mother, family member, and friend. Nancy married Karl E. Kennedy in 1972, who says that they had 6 normal years of marriage followed by 45 interesting years. They became the parents of two children, Elizabeth K. Patel (Mihir) of North Carolina and Daniel E, Kennedy (Shannon) of Cranberry Township, and the grandparents of Ari, Lydia, and Alekzander. Nancy and Karl loved to travel, most notably honeymooning in Hawaii and driving and camping twice to Alaska, the latter trip in the family VW Westfalia camper, a vehicle that took the family to 48 states and much of Canada. In 1991, the family flew to Frankfurt, Germany, to take delivery of camper #2 in order to visit Karl’s sister Marsha and family in western Wales and friends in Scotland and Germany. We pray that, whatever mysteries unfold of life in Christ beyond this life, that Nancy might be sunbathing on the Outer Banks of heaven.

She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and her sister, Kathryn Dyer, niece Suzanne Dyer and nephew Bob Dyer, and Marsha Crall (Bob) and their children, Tim Crall and Pam Mundell. Nancy was blessed to be able to keep in touch through the years with friends from nursing school and many from East Union.

Preceding Nancy in death were her mother, father, and brother Bill.

The family invites all to a memorial service on Saturday July 29, 11 AM in the sanctuary at East Union Presbyterian Church, West Deer, with a luncheon following. Arrangements were entrusted to the SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer Twp.  In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to East Union Presbyterian Church, 292 East Union Rd., Cheswick, PA.  View obituary online and leave condolences at www.siwicki-yanickofh.com//obituary/Nancy-Kennedy

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