Janet Kennedy Obituary

Janet Mary Kennedy, born February 15, 1936, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025, following a brief stay in hospice care. Janet was 89 years old and resided in Smithtown, New York.
Janet is preceded in death by her loving parents, Thomas and Mary Kennedy, her brother Brian and her sister Lorna (Sullivan). She was a devoted mother to her three children, Walter (wife Lisa), Mary Catherine (husband Ron) and Michael (wife Nancy). She was an adoring grandmother to her six grandchildren, Dan (wife Kerry), Tom, Matt(wife Jill), Jeff, Emily and James.
Janet grew up in Astoria, NY and attended Bishop McDonnell Memorial high school. Upon graduation she enrolled in the nursing program at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn and became a Registered Nurse. Janet went on to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing at Stony Brook University and a master's degree in nursing from Adelphi University. She was extremely proud when she became a Clinical Nurse Specialist through a specialized course of study at Adelphi. Janet appreciated the advanced degrees but always said King's County Hospital made her a nurse. She enjoyed a long career in nursing that included bedside care and administrative positions in various hospitals in Suffolk County. She ultimately became Vice President of Nursing for Tender Loving Care, Inc. a home health care company. Her final work as a nurse had a profound impact on her life. At Nursing Sister's Home Care, Janet ran the Medford, NY office under the leadership of Sr. Dolores Wisniewski. She became an Associate of the Congregation of Infant Jesus, Sisters of the Poor (CIJ) and served in a leadership position for several years. She met many of her best friends through her work as a nurse and as an Associate with CIJ.
While her work was extremely important to her, Janet's favorite role was that of mother and grandmother. Janet gave her children unwavering support and invaluable guidance. She spoiled her grandchildren and was their biggest fan. She loved them beyond measure, and they returned that love.
Janet spent time in retirement traveling to France and Ireland. She enjoyed summer visits to Noyac with Mike, Nancy, Matt and Jeff. She loved backyard barbeques with Walt, Lisa, Tom, Dan and Kerry. She loved bringing Emily and James to the Smithtown Landing Country Club pool each summer and put the lifeguards on high alert whenever she felt it was necessary. At summer's end she thanked those lifeguards with trays of bakery cookies. She had the biggest heart, the kindest smile and the most generous spirit.
Janet will be missed every day. She will live on in the hearts of her family and friends through the many memories she made with them. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to your favorite charity. Janet gave to the St. Francis Breadline/St. Francis Friends of the Poor, Inc. Food Distribution Center in New York City whenever she could.