Mary Hennessy

MARY ANNA (MURPHY) KENNEDY HENNESSY
1920 -2018

Mary Anna (Murphy) Kennedy Hennessy, 98, of Lewiston, died at her home Wednesday morning July 25, 2018. She was born in rural Fremont Township, on March 13, 1920, to Matthew and Nora (Donahue) Murphy. Mary's life of faith began with her Baptism at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Lewiston.

Mary attended primary school in Fremont, and later graduated with the Lewiston High School class of 1937. Mary taught in grades 1-8 country school in Winona County in the late 1930's. A favorite student was John Pollema, whose daily task was to build a fire in the wood stove during the winter months.

On June 5, 1939 she married Bernard J. Kennedy, and they raised five children. As a homemaker, wife and mother, Mary was without equal. She loved and nurtured her family, as well as frequently assisting at the Lewiston Monument Company in bookkeeping, sales, and
customer service. From 1944-1946, Mary had a dual role as a mother of two young sons and
as manager of the Lewiston Monument Company while her husband, Bernie, served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Italy. In the late forties and early to mid-fifties, the Kennedy's welcomed
two daughters and another son. The family grew and the family business prospered.

In 1972 Mary and Bernie Kennedy, Sr. were divorced. Mary then worked as a paralegal for Attorney Wayne Schauble and later worked at Camera Art (Herff Jones) Industries in Lewiston. In 1992, Mary married Bernie Hennessy (State Farm Agent) and they enjoyed nearly 26 years of marriage. Mary and Bernie shared a love of their Savior, traveling, and polka dancing. Mary had a loving relationship with her five children, 11 step-children, 46 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Mary's love of her Savior, her family, and life in general, was boundless. How blessed we are to have enjoyed this beautiful lady!

Mary is survived by her husband Bernie, her children, John (Peggy) Kennedy, Bernie Joe (Karla) Kennedy, Patricia (Richard) Stark, Maureen (Mike) Hurley, and Jim Kennedy. She is further survived by step-children, Michael (Wende) Kulas, Patrick (Cindy) Hennessy, Kathy (Robert) Rehbein, Mike (Karen) Hennessy, Brian Hennessy, Anne Hennessy, Joe (Maxine) Hennessy, Maureen (Wayne) Schauble, Jim Hennessy, and Shannon (Eric) Trocinski. Mary is also survived by brothers-in-law, T.R. Bob (Mitzi) Hennessy, Jerry (Noreen) Hennessy and sister-in-law, Audrey (Hennessy) Gilbert.

Mary was pre-deceased by her parents, a brother Matthew Murphy Jr., sisters Helen (Murphy) Corbett & Catherine (Murphy) MacKenzie, & step-daughter Sharon (Hennessy) Chavez.

Special thanks to Heartland Hospice and also the 7 wonderful local caregivers who cared for Mary in her final days. You know who you are! You were a blessing for Mary & our family!


Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 30 at St. Rose of Lima in Lewiston, with Father Don Schmitz as officiant. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery in Lewiston. Friends may call Sunday, July 29 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at St. Rose Catholic Church. They may also call one hour prior to the services on Monday at the church. Hoff Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please share a memory of Mary at her on-line guestbook and view her Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneralhome.com.

P.S. "We love you, Grandma Mary!"