HOLTON – Mary E. Kennedy, 72, of Holton, formerly of Soldier, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Stormont-Vail Health Center in Topeka.

She was born March 13, 1950 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Meade Manning. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Dedham, MA in 1967, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cardinal Cushing College in Brookline, MA in 1971, and her Master's Degree in Education from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA in 1975.

Mary had taught for thirty-two years. She first taught in Brockton Public Schools in Brockton, MA from 1972 to 1977, and later at Silver Lake from 1977 to 1979, and at Royal Valley in Mayetta from 1979 to her retirement in 2004.

She loved to travel, garden, read, and share time with her grandchildren.

She married Michael Kennedy on August 11, 1979 in Topeka. He preceded her in death on October 19, 2017.

Survivors include a son, Christopher Kennedy (Halie), Holton; a daughter, Michelle Dallas (Jeremy), Soldier; three brothers, Thomas Manning (Ann), Derry, NH, James Manning (Diane), Vista, CA and Michael Manning (Noel), Penacook, NH; one sister, Diane Favier, Milford, CT; four grandchildren, Jeremy Michael Dallas, Kendra Mary-Kathryn Dallas, Logan Robert-Thomas Dallas and Khloe Grace Kennedy, and a special friend, John Ray.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 3rd at the Circleville Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Olive Hill Cemetery near Soldier. Mary will lie in state at the funeral home after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 1st at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Topeka Rescue Mission or Jackson County Friends of Hospice, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436.