Gwyneth E. Kennedy

Gwyneth E. Kennedy Gwyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (great and great-great), sister, aunt, and friend. In her own right, she was a faithful, friendly, kind woman of grace and dignity. She died Tuesday, Nov. 8 from cancer. Born August 24, 1924, she was 87 years old. Gwyns life began in Spearman, Texas where she was born to Eugene Elder and Callie Lindsay Elder. The family moved to Amarillo, where she and her sister, Alyce Gene, grew up and went to school. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1941 and attended Amarillo College for a year. While she was working and going to school, she met a tall, handsome man from Oklahoma " Darrell Kennedy. It was 1943. They met on Labor Day and were married December 1. They began married life in Amarillo. They shared a home, family, love, laughter, good and hard times for 64 years until his death in 2008. Her primary focus in life was making a home and raising their three children. To earn extra money, she did work outside the home for the Santa Fe Railroad, the City of Amarillo and after retirement for Mesquite Community Hospital. She and Darrell saw to it their children were raised with the values of faith and were involved in school, scouts, sports, church, choir, band and other community activities. She was raised in the Church of Christ and was a faithful member of the Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas at the time of her death. She enjoyed reading, watching TV, having lunch with her grand-daughters, playing with her great-grandchildren, attending church, shopping and opportunities to visit with her extended family. For many years she and her sister had an inviolate Tuesday morning phone call to stay in touch. The last two years of her life, she happily shared an apartment with one of her grand-daughters, enabling to live more independently after Darrells death. Although her husband was more extroverted than she was, she was able to make many deep friendships that they enjoyed as a couple and that she continued as a widow. In the last few months of her life, while she was living in a rehabilitation facility to regain her strength from surgery, she found a wonderful friend in the roommate she had there. Survivors include her three children and their spouses: Mike and Gail Kennedy of Paris, Texas; Debbie and Richard Christian of Mesquite, Texas; Pam and Ronnie Moss of Mansfield, Texas. Nine grandchildren also survive: Jenny (Jeff) Gouge; Keely Kennedy; Lindsay (Kevin)Edge; Kristin Kennedy; Stephanie Moss; Jeff (Stefanie) Moss; Callie Christian; Bethany Christian; Kyle Kennedy. Great-grandchildren include: Eric and Becky Gouge; Ashleigh Kennedy; Eli and Chloe Edge, Alycia Kennedy; Addison Moss; Preston Moss. She has one great-great grandchild; Logan Trapp. Her sister, Alyce Gene Pauwels of Lubbock, Texas and one uncle, Morris (Sarah) Elder also survive. Nieces and nephews include: Jetta Roberdes; Lynda (Steve) Osborn; Steve (Kiki) Pauwels; Kevin (Vanda) Pauwels. Great nieces and nephews, some cousins and many friends also survive. She was able to enjoy a greater quality of life after her last illness was diagnosed thanks to the care of doctors and nurses affiliated with THR Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Also, her last hours were eased by the hospice team from Faith Presbyterian Hospice. Memorials can be made to the Caring and Sharing Ministry of the Highland Oaks Church of Christ (10805 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75238) or to the charity or ministry of your choice. She would be pleased to have good done in her name. We, her family, will miss her immensely. We are bereft. She was a blessing to our lives.