Doris Kennedy
KENNEDY: Doris Kennedy passed away peacefully at 97 years old in Pittsburgh on Monday, July 8, 2024, surrounded by family. She is the mother of George Arnold (Laura), Alan Arnold (Adele), Nancy Arnold and Kate Kolbrener (Michael); the grandmother of Jon Arnold, Sarah Arnold, Eric Arnold, Julie Pike, Matthew Kolbrener and Will Kolbrener; and great-grandmother of Evan, McKenna, Alia, Judah, Micah, Noah and Jacob. Born on Sept. 5, 1926, Doris always had a zest for life, inspiring those around her with her positivity and by seeking joy even in the small and quiet moments. She was a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School and Ohio State University, where she studied occupational therapy. While raising children with her first husband, Robert J. Arnold, she was employed by the occupational therapy department at West Penn Hospital and worked in the field for most of her career until she retired at 72 years old. Doris spent her middle age years married to Dr. David Kennedy, with whom she traveled often to Israel, learned Hebrew, began painting and wrote poetry. For more than eight years near the end of her life she happily resided at Weinberg Terrace in Squirrel Hill. She loved walking through the neighborhood to meet friends and family for meals and set about pursuing her many interests, including attending art classes at the JCC. While at Weinberg Terrace, she served on the food committee, attended Friday Shabbat services and continued writing poetry. In 2018 Doris self-published a book of poems called “Variations,” and on Feb. 5, 2019, she hosted a book signing. This cherished poem below, called “Helpful Self-Talk,” is from her collection and its sentiment is one we’ll continue to carry within each of us:
Helpful Self-Talk
Who speaks to you
in a kindly word
your “good mother”
Is the one you’ve heard
you carry her along
So she’s waiting to say
only wonderful things
about you today
No matter your age
it’s wise to know
A mother can be with you
wherever you go
So listen to your voice
saying her words
With positive messages
That need to be heard
Giving you confidence
Building your pride
For that wonderful feeling inside
— Doris Kennedy
Graveside service and interment will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Doris Kennedy to the Jewish Association on Aging, Weinberg Terrace, 5741 Bartlett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com PJC
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