Kennedy, Patricia Lee 'Pat' Ellis

Patricia Lee “Pat” Ellis Kennedy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died in her home on Sept. 21, 2012, after an extended illness. She was 78.

Pat was a ray of sunshine wherever she went. Those fortunate enough to know her were rewarded by her infectious optimism and her ability to instigate joy even in trying situations.

Pat was born Nov. 25, 1933, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Sylvan and Inez (Finnie) Ellis. Pat began her schooling in Sioux City. The family then moved to Carroll, Iowa, where Pat graduated from Carroll High School in 1951. During high school Pat was active in theater and music, singing with choral groups and dance bands. Pat was Worthy Advisor (president) of the Carroll Assembly of Rainbow Girls, and was Carroll Relays Queen in her senior year. Pat attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa,where she was a cheerleader and president of her sorority before graduating with a two-year teaching degree in 1954. While in Storm Lake Pat met Larry Kennedy. She and Larry were married Aug. 13, 1954, in Carroll. Pat began a career that would span 35 years, teaching second grade in Vermillion, S.D., in 1954-55 while Larry finished his degree at the University of South Dakota. After Larry's graduation the couple returned to Storm Lake, where Pat taught at Hayes School in 1955-56, and their first child, Steven, was born. In late 1956, the couple moved to Early, Iowa, where Pat began full-time mom work. While in Early, Pat and Larry were blessed with three more children, Scott, Spencer, and Katherine.

The family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1965. Between 1965 and 1972, Pat taught elementary school, had her fifth child, Karen, and completed her bachelor's degree in education at Mount Mercy College in June 1972. Pat continued to teach in various capacities until she retired from teaching in 1998.

For many years Pat was a Shaklee distributor,had a successful dried flower arrangement business, and in recent years, she was co-owner of the spiritually centered Rainbow Visions. During their ‘empty nest' years Pat and Larry were able to enjoy traveling abroad, wintering in Florida, and visiting children and grandchildren. Pat was a member of Thursday Noon Optimists and Unity Center of Cedar Rapids.

Pat had a gift for teaching students young and old. She was creative, had a quick wit and a love of word play and music. She was an avid online “Words with Friends” devotee, keeping a dozen or more games going simultaneously with family and friends.Pat was a loving and relentlessly supportive mother, grandmother, friend, and wife. She and Larry celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in August. In her final struggle with ovarian cancer Pat was, true to form, an inspiration to family, friends, and health professionals who cared for her.

Pat is survived by her husband, Larry; five children: Steven Kennedy (Debra) of Aurora, Colo.; Scott Kennedy of Hiawatha, Iowa, his daughter Jill Kennedy of New York City, Jill's mother, Janet Kennedy of Houston, Texas, andhis son, Michael Kennedy and Michael's mother, Kathleen Henry of Schaumburg, Ill.; Spencer Kennedy (Jaye) and their daughters, Alex and Mackinze, all of Cedar Rapids; Katherine Kennedy (Frank Casey) of Lake in the Hills, Ill., and Katherine's daughter, Andrea Sledz (Walter) of Chicago; and Karen Wilson (Scott) and their children, Keenan, Bailey, Kennedy, and Noah, all of Cedar Rapids.She is also survived by her brother, Robert Ellis(Sandy) of Dakota Dunes, S.D.

Per Pat's request, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Unity Center, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids. For service information call Unity Center at (319) 393-5422. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Memorial gifts may be made to:The Wm. “Cyclone” Kennedy Scholarship Fund at Coe College. Attn: Dan Breitbach, Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE,Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Pat asked that the family publicly thank the care providers who cared for her so well: Dr. David Bender and Michelle Freesmeier and their team at the University of Iowa Medical Center, Dr. John Roof and Dr. Mohit Chawla of Cedar Rapids, the staff at Manor Care in Cedar Rapids, and the staff at Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

In honor of Pat, each day strive to bring joy to at least one other person.

Please sign the online guest book for Pat at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Sept. 26, 2012 in The Gazette