Geraldine Hope Kennedy

Geraldine (Geri) Kennedy passed away at the Village Health Care Center in Missoula on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at 1:29 a.m.

Geri was born Aug. 27, 1923, on the family farm north of Mossville, Illinois, to R. Ray and Claribel Neal. She married Walter B. Kennedy Jr. on June 19, 1943, in Boston, and they settled in Mossville where they raised their two sons, Michael and Jack.

Geri moved to Missoula in 2003 to be close to her son and she began an active life serving the community. Geri was a proud member of First United Methodist Church in Missoula, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women, treasurer of Ruth Fellowship, counted weekly offerings and was a "top coffee maker." She was a member and treasurer of the local TOPS organization and a volunteer in the gift shop at St. Patrick Hospital until November of 2014. She loved to knit and quilt and contributed her work to local charities.

Surviving are two sons, Michael (Barb) of Frenchtown and Jack (Fran) of Tampa, Florida; two grandchildren, Sam (Teri) Kennedy of Parker, Colorado, and Shannon Kennedy of Tampa; two great-grandchildren, Patrick and Abigail Kennedy; one sister, Loretta "Dolly" (Richard) Albers of Peoria and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband Walter; one infant son, Walter B. Kennedy III; her parents and brothers, William "Bill" Neal and Paul "Pete" Neal, both of San Bernardino, California.

Per Geri's wishes, her remains have been cremated and will be interred in Mossville with her late husband. A private family gathering in her honor will be held in Mossville in the spring. Memorials in her name may be made to First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Main St., Missoula, MT 59801, the Missoula Food Bank or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences to the family can be made at MissoulaFuneralHomes.com.


Read Geraldine Kennedy's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.