Betty Kennedy

Betty T. Kennedy, 89, passed away Sept. 17, 2014, at Spring Creek Inn in Bozeman after a short illness. Members of her family were at her side.

She was born Betty Jean Terry to Harold and Norma Marie Terry in Kalispell on Aug. 20, 1925. She graduated from Flathead County High School in 1943.

Betty attended two years of college at the University of Montana and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She met Russell Glenn Kennedy, a World War II veteran from Anaconda, during a social function at Montana State College in Bozeman.

The couple were married in Missoula on June 13, 1948. They lived in Wilsall and Fort Benton, where Glenn taught school prior to moving to Columbia Falls in 1954, when Glenn took a position at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant. 

Betty and Glenn raised three children, Merry Kay (1951), Terry Glenn (1954) and Daniel Frank (1957).

She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and directed the choir for many years. She was active in Ladies Aid and Circle and belonged to a bridge club.

After her children left home, she took a part-time job with the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce. Betty played the clarinet with the Flathead Valley Community Band and University of Montana Alumni Band, and marched in several homecoming parades. She was a Grizzly and Glenn was a Bobcat, making for some friendly bets during game days.

Betty enjoyed gardening, raking leaves; long walks around Columbia Falls and Apgar with friends or Glenn.  She wished to be remembered most as one who loved her family and as patriotic to her country. Her friends and friendships were very important. She loved picking huckleberries, which often became a neighborhood affair. Her huckleberry pies were the highlight of birthdays and special occasions.

She and Glenn never missed a concert, sports event or other school function that included their three kids.

Betty was diminutive, pretty and prided herself in being neat and well dressed, even in casual clothes. She had a special ability to engage people — even those she did not know. She put a smile on everyone’s face. New acquaintances came away feeling that they somehow knew her. In turn, she was adored by those around her.

Betty was preceded in passing by her parents and Glenn in 2009.

She is survived by her three children, Merry Kay Kennedy, of Fallon, Nev., Terry Kennedy and wife Diane, of Bozeman and Dan Kennedy and wife Janet, of Wasilla, Alaska; seven grandchildren, Brenda, Rebecca, Naomi, Lindsay, David, Rachel and Teresa; and three great grandchildren, Lucas, Logan and Eden.

Betty’s family would like to thank her neighbors in Columbia Falls and friends everywhere for being a part of her life, and a special thanks to her assisted-living caregivers from Hillcrest and Spring Creek Inn, during her last years in Bozeman.

A more formal memorial will take place in Columbia Falls later. For announcement of the date and time, visit online at church@oursaviorscfalls.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or Flathead Valley Community Band at band@fvcband.com.