Marian Irene Kennedy

In Loving Memory of Marian Irene Kennedy August 18, 1933 – (December 2, 2025) Marian Irene Kennedy was born on August 18, 1933, in her beloved Sagefield, the fifth of eight children born to the late William and Julia (Jeffers) Bratcher. She attended Dudley Corner Elementary through 7th grade and later continued her education at Kennard High School in Centreville. From an early age, Marian’s life was marked by service, devotion, and hard work. She lovingly helped care for her oldest brother, Stanford, as well as many nieces, nephews, and eventually her grandchildren. Whether picking tomatoes and beans or assisting family members, she was always working with a generous heart. After the birth of her son, Neal, Marian moved to Trenton, New Jersey with her sister Emily and worked at Westinghouse Electric for seven years. On July 20, 1957, she married the love of her life, Howard R. Kennedy. Their union was blessed with two daughters—Tracy Lynn, born in 1963, and Lisa Ann, born in 1966, while the family was building their home in Sagefield. Marian later worked at Leeds Travel Wear in Clayton, DE alongside her sister Sylvia and brother-in-law, Gene Wilmore, and then at General Foods in Dover, DE, where she retired in 1995. A devoted woman of faith, Marian was first a member of Jeffer’s Chapel before transferring her membership to St. Daniel’s in Barclay, MD (now New Hope). She served joyfully as an Usher and was well known for donating her delicious fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, and deviled eggs. She also graciously assisted Mrs. Elizabeth Foreman at Mt. Olive’s Special Days, ushering alongside Mrs. Lillian Brown. Marian deeply cherished her family reunions and gatherings, tending to her yard, hosting holiday dinners, and celebrating the milestones of her children and grandchildren. She was especially grateful for the blessing of helping raise her youngest grandson, Joshua, and caring for her grandbaby Zach three days a week for two years, including countless pick-ups and drop-offs at Kmart on Kent Island. With unwavering strength granted by God, she faithfully cared for her beloved husband Howard and her daughter Tracy throughout their illnesses until their passing. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Julia Bratcher; her husband, Howard Kennedy; her daughter, Tracy Kennedy; her grandson, Travis DeWayne Kennedy; her brothers Standford “Stan,” Winfield “Winnie,” Terrance “Terry,” and George “Timmy” Bratcher; and her sisters Genevieve “Ginny” Potts and Emily “Emmie” Orr. She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters Sylvia Wilmore and Nadine Pettyjohn; her devoted son Howard Neal (Maude) Kennedy Sr.; her beloved daughter Lisa Ann (Sherita) Kennedy; granddaughter Caroletta (William) Ryans and family; bonus-granddaughter Ices Barnett; grandsons Howard Neal (April) Kennedy Jr., Joshua Freeman, and Zach Langdon-Kennedy; bonus-grandson Londell Barnett; great-grands Raheim A. King, Erika E. Taylor (Logan), Mikayla J. Kennedy, and Josiah C. Freeman; great-great-grandson Travis Taylor; her dedicated sister-in-law Virginia Bratcher; special niece Emily Winchester; dear friends Beatrice “Tootsie” Wiggins, Jennifer Langdon, Sandra Wanamaker, Holly Paddy; Latanya Simms and Neveah Jones along with countless loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her New Hope Church Family. Marian expresses eternal gratitude to her “Caregiver Angels”: her nurse Ellen Rowland, and her loving nieces Vana Wilmore, Denise McGhee, Dionne Warrick, Shawkeya Johnson, Tasha Wynn, and friend, Davida Brown. Her faith sustained her throughout her life, anchored in the scripture: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 She leaves these final words of love: “I don’t think you know how much I loved all of you. I wish I could have given you more, but you were all first in my life. I had the best children in the world, and I had a good husband. We did not agree on everything, but we loved each other very much. I love all of you with all my heart.” Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, I’m Free! No more pain, no more worries. With all her love, Mom In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Marian’s name to the Sudlersville VFD, 203 N. Church St., Sudlersville, MD 21668.

Marian Irene Kennedy

August 18, 1933 - December 2, 2025