Janet Kennedy
January 7, 1943 — September 14, 2016
Janet Elizabeth Steck Kennedy, age 73 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at her home following a brief illness.
She was born on January 7, 1943 in Canton, Illinois to Carl Fredrick and Mary Elizabeth (Morris) Steck. She was graduated from Cuba (Illinois) High School, earned the Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University (Normal), and a Master’s degree in Speech from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo). She came to southwest Michigan in 1965, and was a teacher at Edwardsburg High School for many years.
Janet was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles. She was a talented musician with proficiencies on several keyboard instruments, and had served as the church organist for area congregations including Wesley United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading both non-fiction and mysteries, and could often be found doing so with a cup of coffee at a local restaurant long before franchise coffeehouses were popular. She also enjoyed the fellowship and discipline of the bridge club.
On November 2, 1968 at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles she married Thomas H. Kennedy with whom she celebrated the thirty-first anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on August 28, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents, by a sister, Joyce Jelinek who died on July 16, 2004, and Joyce’s husband, Jack Jelinek who died on April 17, 2000.
Surviving family includes her sister, Joan “JoAnn” (& Robert) Hoburg of New Milford, Connecticut; and nieces and nephews, Stacey Didato of Danbury, Connecticut, Mary (& Rob) Mazza of New Milford, Jason Jelinek and Justin (& Debbie) Jelinek, both of Naperville, Illinois.
Committal Rites for Janet Steck Kennedy will be read at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at her graveside in Calvary Cemetery in Niles by The Reverend Pamela V. Sten of Buchanan, Michigan. Contributions in memory of Janet may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 9 South Fourth Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.