Mary Ellen Kennedy

Mary Ellen Kennedy, 89, of Canton, NY died on Friday, August 24, 2012 at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam, NY.

Mary Ellen was born in Utica, NY on February 15, 1923 to the late John P. Jr. & Agnes E. (Costello) Fogarty. Mary Ellen, affectionately referred to as "Sissy", was the younger sister to her beloved brother John.

Mary Ellen graduated from Gorton High School in Yonkers, NY in 1941. She then attended Endicott College in Beverly, MA and graduated with the class of 1943. Endicott College held a very special place in Mary Ellen's heart and she maintained a life long association with her alma mater. Mary Ellen was the first Alumni Council President of Endicott College and was actively involved with the Alumni Council of which she was most recently an Honorary Member.

In her earlier years, Mary Ellen worked directly for William Paley at CBS Broadcasting, Inc in NYC.

Mary Ellen was married to William "Bill" Kennedy in September 1948 and together they raised their three children; Ellen, Ann and Robert, in Scotia, NY. For many years, Mary Ellen enjoyed spending summers at their vacation home on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. She loved to entertain guests at her home. She loved to travel and most specially loved being by the water. Mary Ellen loved to dance and she loved trees. In addition, Mary Ellen had a lifelong love of music.

Mary Ellen & Bill retired to Quechee, VT in 1984. In 1985 Mary Ellen joined the staff of the Woodstock Office of Vermont National Bank and quickly immersed herself in the greater Woodstock community, volunteering her time and talents to many organizations including Pentangle Arts Council. In addition, Mary Ellen was actively involved at Our Lady of the Snows Parish as a Lector and Eucharist Minister. She was also a member of the parish choir. For many Christmas Eves', Mary Ellen would sing with the Community Chorus at the Quechee Community Church. Mary Ellen retired from Vermont National Bank to care for her beloved Bill. Bill died in 1994 and Mary Ellen remained in Quechee until December 2002 when she moved to the Community of Partridge Knoll in Canton, NY.

In addition to her three children, Mary Ellen is also survived by a niece, Candace Church and a nephew John P Fogarty IV.

A Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock, VT at 11:00am.

Donations in Mary Ellen's memory may be made to Endicott College, Department of Institutional Advancement, 376 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915 Attn: David Vigneron.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.