Beatrice “Bea” Kennedy, 78, of Gladwin, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on April 30, 1945, in Bay City, Michigan, the daughter of Virgil Sr. and Viola (Krause) LaPlant. On January 7, 1967, she married Walter Kennedy, and together they shared many wonderful years.
Bea worked as an office manager at Gladwin Optometric until her retirement. Throughout her life she had many interests, such as: bowling, game nights with friends, bus trips with family and friends, family camping and simple pleasures such as bonfires. One of the greatest fulfillments in Bea and Walt’s life together was their shared love of traveling, particularly to northern destinations such as Alaska, Canada, and Northern Michigan. She was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she was involved with the Daughter’s of the King, serving her community and church family with dedication.
Bea is survived by her loving husband, Walt Kennedy, and their children: Cathy Kennedy, Barb (Jae) Naugle, and Nancy (John) Jerry. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Darcy, Lauren, and Kennedy Naugle, as well as her brothers, Edward (Michelle) LaPlant and Richard (Kathleen) LaPlant.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil Sr. and Viola LaPlant, and her siblings, Virgil Jr., Albert, and Janice.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 12:00 noon at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Gladwin. Visitation will take place on Friday, March 29, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 P.M., and on Saturday, March 30, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
To share condolences and memories of Bea, please visit www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com.
