After a brief illness, beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Claire Marie Kennedy (nee' Engel), 78, of Arnold, MD passed away on September 26, 2014.

A native Marylander, Claire was born in Baltimore and raised in nearby Irvington. "I believe I grew up during the best time in this country," Claire once said, remarking on how much she loved growing up Irvington with all her family and friends. She enjoyed sharing warm memories of those early years with her children and grandchildren.

Claire cherished her family and friends, church and community. She volunteered at Little Sisters of the Poor to help raise funds for the local convalescent home; as a Girl Scout leader; a softball coach; and served in many other capacities as she expressed her love and care for all those in her life.

Claire took great pleasure in having all her family close by, going on family vacations, and joining in many a sing-along in the car, or at home around the organ. She also enjoyed crocheting, gardening and taking walks with her husband Tom.

After spending several years in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Claire came home to Maryland, and settled in Arnold, where she joined a local Bible Study Fellowship, International class. Soon, Claire was called into leadership with BSF, first as a Children's Leader, then as a Discussion Leader. Claire loved serving God and His people, remaining a faithful and active member of Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Claire is remembered most as a loving wife, a wonderful mom and involved grandmother. She devoted herself to her husband's care in the last years of his life, and cared for her grandson Ben throughout his own final illness. Claire has been caregiver for her all of her extended family, our rock and strength in both good times and troubled times. She will be deeply missed all the rest of our lives. We find comfort in knowing she is now with the Lord, in His loving care, and we look forward to the day we are reunited with her in glory.

Claire was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Edward Kennedy Sr., her siblings, Judy, Richard, and Bernard, and her grandson, Ben. She is survived by her mother, Claire M. Brito (Engel), her remaining brothers Alfred and Gilbert, her four children, Susan, Karen, Colleen, Tom, her son-in-law Randy, and her grandchildren, Amy, Alex, and David.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 1:00pm at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 110 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena. A reception will be held at the church, immediately following the service, until 5 p.m. to celebrate and share Claire's life.

Interment will take place at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 1:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

1.Bible Study Fellowship, International, www.bsfinternational.org

2.Disabled Veterans National Foundation, www.donate.dvnf.org

3.The American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.