Gretchen Louise Kennedy

Gretchen Louise Kennedy (nee Boros) passed away peacefully following an extended illness, on September 19, 2024, in Lima, Ohio. Gretchen was born to Michael Maxwell and Margaret Louise (nee Dobbert) Boros on July 21, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio. She spent her childhood years living near the Cleveland Cultural Gardens before moving with her parents to Orange Village, Ohio. Gretchen graduated with honors from Orange High School in 1962 and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1966.

After graduation, Gretchen moved back to Cleveland and started her career at the Navy Finance Center. There, she met a colleague, C. Thomas Kennedy, from Wapakoneta, Ohio. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on August 24,1968, at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Gretchen continued her career until their only daughter, Janet Louise, was born in 1973. Gretchen was able to stay home and dote on her baby girl, whom they called “Janny”, throughout her elementary school years. Gretchen was an active volunteer in their beautiful community of Lake Lucerne, in Janny’s schools, as well as for the Kenston Board of Education. She served as treasurer for the Friends of Geauga County Public Library when the new Bainbridge branch library was built in 1986. Gretchen went back to work on a part-time basis at this new library, where she was a beloved reference librarian. She continued her career as a librarian at the Wapakoneta branch of the Auglaize County Public Library, working there for over ten years. Retirement gave Gretchen an opportunity to resume her volunteer activities, most notably serving St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and as an auxiliary member of VFW Post 8445 in Wapakoneta.

In her free time, Gretchen enjoyed traveling with her daughter throughout the United States and Europe. Touring her ancestral homeland of Ireland was her most treasured experience. She loved to have fun and dance to great music, rock ‘n roll being her favorite. Later in life, visiting her daughter and family in Florida was a highlight, especially spending time with her only and dearest grandson, Will. She was an avid reader who enjoyed solving the most challenging crossword and jumble word puzzles. She was a learned woman, so naturally, she was a formidable opponent to anyone who dared challenge her in Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit. Gretchen also loved animals, feeding treats to all the friendly dogs who walked by her home. She found peace in watching birds, taking nature walks, and gathering nuts to feed squirrels.

In addition to her parents, Gretchen is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Tom, her cousin Mary Virginia “Jeannie” Boros (Jack) Finley, and brother-in-law, Rollin “Buck” (Barb) Kennedy. Gretchen is survived by her daughter, Janet Louise Bentz, son-in-law, Lawrence Mason Bentz, and grandson, William Kennedy Bentz. Her sister-in-law, Janet (Don) Kochenour, and cousins Susan Finley (Mike Pella), James (Karen) Boros, Nancy (Mark) Anderson, Janice (Alan) English, and Donald (Kathleen) Kennedy also survive.

A Memorial Mass and reception will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wapakoneta, Ohio with burial to follow at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to EveryLibrary Institute  to honor Gretchen’s passion for supporting the future funding of libraries and librarianship.