Obituary of Marilyn Florence KENNEDY (nee Zatwarnicki)

January 18, 1946 – Grand View, Manitoba
October 8, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Marilyn Kennedy, beloved wife of William (Bill) Kennedy of Calgary, AB, passed away in her husband’s arms on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at the age of 74 years. Her Ukrainian Catholic faith was of prime importance to her throughout her life.

Marilyn was born on January 18, 1946 in Grand View, MB hospital. She travelled by train to Gilbert Plains and then by sledge to the family farm. It was so cold that Marilyn was bundled between her parents. Her early years were spent with Guido and Baba while her parents worked the farm. This interaction gave her a life long ability to speak Ukrainian; when she entered grade one, she began to learn English.

After high school graduation, Marilyn entered the Misericordia School of Nursing, graduating in 1967. A trip to Expo ’67 followed. Working as a RN, she enrolled in the University of Manitoba and in 1971 received her BA with a major in Psychology and a minor in History. Marilyn joined the Grace Hospital School of Nursing as an Instructor. In 1973, she married Bill Kennedy and together they raised three children, Jonathan (1974), Sean (1976) and Mary-An (1981). In 1977 the family moved to Montreal followed by Regina in 1978. While in Regina, Marilyn taught nursing at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts, Science and Technology (SIAST). It was there she discovered her great passion for tutoring nursing students. Marilyn changed the learning assistance paradigm to focus on nursing subjects from basic reading and writing skills. She taught herself how to search the internet and it was not uncommon to see Marilyn in the computer lab simultaneously working four to six machines. When the University of Saskatchewan offered nurses in Regina the ability to complete their BSN she enrolled and in 1997 collected her second degree. At the same time, her mother moved in with the family. Marilyn took great joy in looking after Nellie until she passed in 2003, after which Marilyn took Mary-An on a six-week trip to Europe. 

In 1998, the family moved to Calgary. A life long learner, Marilyn enrolled in the Master of Nursing program at the University of Calgary receiving her MSc in 2003. Her ground breaking thesis demonstrated that younger children were more aware of alcohol, drugs and smoking at an earlier age than previously thought.

Marilyn had many interests. A lifelong learner she continued collecting knowledge. She increased her computer skills and found joy in connecting online with other foodies from around the world. She collected recipes and constantly experimented with new recipes and techniques. Marilyn loved music of all kinds from Classical, Opera, Contemporary, Rock and Roll to Reggie. Her rose gardens were a special passion.

In later years she travelled with Bill to India, China, Paris, Rome, Scotland, England, Hawaii, Ireland, Jamaica, Cuba and various destinations in the USA. Rome was her favorite city.

Marilyn leaves to mourn, her husband of forty-seven years Bill, her children, Jonathan (Sora Hong), Sean (Amy Ford) and Mary-An (Matt Webb); grandchildren, Makayla, Aidan, Sophia, Josephine, Nicholas, and her sixth grandchild which sadly she will not meet. She is also survived by her brothers, Vernon and James (Laurie Meirke); and sister Pat (Ron Kozak), as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Panakhyda (Prayer for the Dead) will be sung at St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church (4903 – 45th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, October 14, 202 at 7:00 p.m. 

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church (4903 – 45th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Internment to follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. 

Pall Bearers are her sons, Jonathon and Sean; son-in-law Matt, close family friend JF Forget, and her brothers, Vernon and James.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire memorial tributes in Marilyn’s name may be made directly to St. Stephen’s Church or the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, 102 – 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 Telephone: (403) 269-1319, www.theseed.ca. The Divine Liturgy will be live streamed and available at www.mhfh.com on Marilyn’s Obituary page. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Marilyn’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Marilyn Kennedy, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.