Dorothy W. Kennedy, 86, formerly of Salina, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dorothy was born March 4, 1932, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Dorothy (Orr) and Lee Wandling and had a younger brother, Warren. Her family moved to several cities in her youth settling in Milwaukee, Wisc., where she graduated from Downer High School. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor of science in Education degree and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.

While at KU, she met her husband, Tom, who was at the university attending law school. They were married in August of 1954. Following their wedding, Tom served in the Army which took them to Fort Knox, Ky. After Tom finished his service, the couple settled in Salina, which became home to Dorothy for 54 years. Dorothy was a loving partner to Tom for 50 years. They were proud parents of six children. While supporting their various activities and interests she always explained the importance of being kind, considerate, and giving. Those things are easily said, but she taught by example.

Dorothy co-founded the Salina Charities League in 1968 and was a member for over three decades. She was a member of the St. John’s Hospital Auxiliary and served as president. She was a member of St. John’s Pediatric League, also serving as Chairman. Dorothy was an avid reader and was on the Friends of the Library board, also serving as president. She was a member of the Community Theatre Guild, of P.E.O., and delivered meals-on-wheels for close to 30 years. In 1989 she was inspired by George Bush’s thousand points of light campaign and became an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. She was a member of St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. She taught religious education for 20-years and served on the Parish Council.

While Dorothy was active in the community she was always a wife and mother first. She was quick with a smile, had a sharp wit and took an interest in all those around her.

Her survivors include: daughters, Carol Johnson (Ed) of Minneapolis, Minn., and Katie Chalfant (John) of Prairie Village; sons, Don Kennedy (Traci) of Wichita, and Bill Kennedy (Laura) of Signal Mountain, Tenn.; daughters-in-law, Meredith Kennedy, and Debbie Kennedy Stark; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by: her husband, Tom; sons, Bob and Jim; and brother, Warren.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with Rosary at 7.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 E. Cloud St., Salina, with Rev. Kerry Ninemire officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: the Salina Charities League, or St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Online condolences: www.ryanmortuary.com.