Obituary of Virginia Louise Kennedy
Virginia Louise Kennedy (nee Lynch)
4 November 1940 – 30 December 2023
On 30 December 2023, Virginia Louise Kennedy, 83, of St. Catharines, ON, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and family. At the moment of her passing, her mother’s favourite song “A Whiter Shade of Pale” from a favourite movie “The Big Chill”, just happened to start playing and sweetly serenaded her to the next life.
Virginia is survived by her loving husband Terry Kennedy, her brother David Lynch, her children Charlotte (Greg), David (Sarah), Maureen (Colleen), Rachel (David), her grandchildren (Justin, Stephen, Suzanne, Nichole, Ryan, Alexandra, Eden, David James, and Malcolm), great grandchildren (Mya, Perri, Myles, Lennon, Emily and Aiden), as well as an extended family of nieces, nephews, close family friends and two much loved budgies (blue bird and yellow bird).
Virginia was preceded in death by her father John Lynch, mother Charlotte Bâby and her younger brother John Lynch.
Born in Windsor, and raised in Detroit, she graduated from Assumption College (later known as Windsor University) with a baccalaureate degree in Sociology and Art. Here, she met her future husband Terry and they went on to build a wonderful life together filled with laughter, love, friends, travel and adventure. While at university, they met lifelong friends (Phi Oldis Viennus) and remained in touch for the next 60+ years.
Virginia was an indomitable spirit, who always did things her way. She combined her passion for art, politics, and people in everything she did. An entrepreneur and artist, they owned several businesses and spent many years on the political, municipal, and social scenes.
A lifelong Liberal supporter, she was an election delegate for the Pierre Trudeau campaign in 1968, the Riding Secretary for MPP Rudd Whiting from 1968 to 1971 and a volunteer for the 2015 and 2018 elections.
Virginia was a reporter and later editor for the Erin Advocate, a layout and design artist, a publisher, a florist and the owner of the Village Craft Shop and Village Green in Erin, Ontario. From 1979 until retirement, she was a professional picture framer and co-owner with Terry of Picture Frame Warehouse on Ontario Street in St. Catharines.
She was a Children’s Aid Social Worker in Windsor, Wellington County Board of Education Trustee, Founding Chairperson for the Wellington County Arts Council, Chairperson for Women’s Place in St. Catharines, and a St. Catharines Chamber of Commerce Committee member.
Despite being a post-polio survivor, she loved swimming and spent many memorable summers of her youth with her family and friends at the family cottage on Lake Erie. She loved sailing, travelling, cruising and walking along the beach. She was passionate about being with family and friends and always hosted the holiday dinners and family events.
The family would like to thank the entire palliative care team of PSWs, nurses, care coordinator, EMS paramedics and other support personnel, as well as the outstanding team at Lake Carlton Shopper’s Drug Mart. They made this difficult journey easier for her and we are forever grateful for such amazing support.
Cremation has taken place and as per Virginia’s wishes, there will be no funeral. A private celebration of life will be held. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in her name to the charity of your choice. She loved birds most, so you can also donate to conserve.birdscanada.org or your local SPCA.
