Obituary - Cathy Elaine Kennedy

Cathy Elaine Kennedy, 60, of Conrad passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Great Falls.

A funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18, at New Hope Lutheran Church in Great Falls, with a reception for family and friends to follow in the church hall. A committal service will be later in the afternoon at 4:30 at the Chester Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.

Cathy was born Jan. 27, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Robert and Gladys (Franklin) Kennedy. She was one of nine children. Cathy attended elementary through high school in Beardstown, Illinois, and graduated from Beardstown High School.

Cathy had many occupations throughout her life, including working in a glove factory, in a chair back factory, as a ranch hand and as a kitchen supervisor just to name a few. Her last job, which she loved, was working at MV Co-op in Conrad.

Cathy's hobbies included making diamond willow canes and walking sticks, reading Sue Grafton novels, camping, traveling and taking care of her pets, Poquito, Lobo and Buddy. She loved horses and was a member of the drill team from Havre. She also barrel raced as an amateur. Cathy loved telling impromptu stories to her granddaughters and taking them on hiking adventures when they were camping.

Cathy is survived by her life partner, Tara Thielman of Conrad; daughters, Cindy (Tracy) Job of Havre and Sandy Derry of Havre; son, John Edward Derry III of Havre; grandchildren, Katie Derry, Sammy Turner, Kiara Christianson and Bailey Turner, all of Havre; brothers Paul, Ben, John, Frank and Kevin Kennedy all of Illinois; sisters, Sharon Steininger and Chris Bacon both of Illinois.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Kennedy and Gladys Robinson; and her brother David.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sletten Cancer Institute, Peace Hospice, New Hope Lutheran Church or other of donor's choice.