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Evelyn Marie Kennard

Evelyn Kennard

KENNARD
Evelyn Marie (nee Donihue), age 98, passed away on May 20, 2017. Dear mother of Laura (Gary) Henderson, and William (Gloria) Kennard. Adored grandmother of Michael (Michelle), Jennifer, Matthew (Ann), David (Tamara), Kristen (Kareem), Christopher (Carly), and Nicholas. Cherished great-grandmother of Nicholas, Alex, Eliza, Samantha, Connor, Zachary, and Riley. She is survived by three sisters (Ethel, Elizabeth, Barbara), one brother (Lee), and 27 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Frank, of 45 years, her parents (Leslie and Estella Donihue), her 3 brothers (Richard, Clare, John) and 3 sisters (Mildred, Marjorie, Lois). Evelyn was born in Hillsdale, Michigan on April 18, 1919 – the second oldest of 11 children born to a farmer and homemaker. Following graduation from high school, she worked in the Hillsdale County Court House, then moved to Ypsilanti to work at the Willow Run Bomber Plant … to “be closer to where the action (WWII) was”. She later moved to Detroit, landing an executive secretary position at the prestigious Albert Kahn Architectural Firm … where she met her husband, Frank. They settled in northwest Detroit (1949), and started a family; they moved to Farmington Hills in 1973. Upon returning to the workforce in 1960, Evelyn became employed, as a secretary, with the Detroit Public Schools – first at a middle school, later at Northwestern High School, and finally at the Professional Library. She retired in 1986, and enjoyed some traveling until her husband’s health started to decline. She was an excellent cook/seamstress, a meticulous housekeeper, enjoyed gardening (i.e. flowers and assorted vegetables), and liked to crochet (i.e. especially potholders). She was an avid reader (i.e. many newspapers and magazines). She watched TV news on a daily basis, and could debate with anyone on the subjects of politics/election, immigration, health care. She had a very strong faith, and had been actively involved in her church until recent years. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family …. many of whom she saw on a regular basis. A memorial service will be held at 4:30 on Sunday June 11, at Orchard United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in Evelyn’s honor, to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation. Share memories online at

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