DEL NORTE— Grace Kennedy, 79, of Del Norte, died surrounded by family on Jan. 19, 2010, three days shy of her 80th birthday.

She was born Jan. 22, 1930, in Detroit, Mich. to William and Lucy Miller and married Manert Kennedy on Sept. 17, 1950 in Las Vegas, Nev. Together, they raised eight children.

Grace moved to Boulder with her family in 1965, camping in the rain with her children at Eldorado Springs until they found their house. She was soon involved in volunteer activities such as Girl Scouts and her church, Sacred Heart of Jesus, including a term as president of the Altar and Rosary Society.

She traveled the world and made friends wherever she went.

Grace became a nurse, graduating in 1975, and worked at Boulder Community Hospital.

After settling in Del Norte in 1995, she enjoyed the magnificent beauty surrounding her home and, as she was everywhere she went, Grace was blessed with many friends.

Active in veterans affairs with her husband, a Korean War U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, she made her presence known to the community.

Grace was also active in Holy Name of Mary Church at Del Norte. A devout Catholic, she viewed her most important job as being a devoted, loving mother of her children and spouse of her husband. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Her parents, two brothers, and one daughter, Debora, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Manert; her daughters, Colleen Rutledge and Kathleen Kennedy of Boulder, Patricia Hunter of Windsor, and Mary Jo Kennedy of Redondo Beach, Calif.; her sons, Patrick Kennedy, Longmont, Michael Kennedy, Boulder, and Robert Kennedy, Austin, Texas; six granddaughters, nine grandsons, one great-granddaughter; two sisters and two brothers.

Funeral arrangements are by Crist Mortuary in Boulder, CO and a Memorial Mass was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, in Boulder on Friday, Jan. 22.