Published November 2, 2018
MELROSE — Sally E. (Marsolais) Kennedy, 83, a proud and lifelong resident of Melrose, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2018 at Life Care of Merrimac Valley.
Sally was born in Tewksbury on July 14, 1935, one of two children of the late Dr. Roland Marsolais and Elizabeth (Whittaker) Marsolais.
Sally grew up in Melrose, and enjoyed spending summers on Conomo Point with her family. Sally’s father was instrumental in making ice hockey accessible to the youth of the area. She developed a passion for ice hockey that she would carry with her throughout the years. As a child she enjoyed spending time with her friends, but especially enjoyed watching her brother play hockey.
She was a scorekeeper and a part of “The Green Street Reds” hockey team with her father and brother. She even played as a goalie for some time. Sally also enjoyed working alongside her mother at the Summer Street Nursing Home in Malden.
Sally met, and would go on to marry, Robert W. Kennedy and they shared almost 66 wonderful years together. They would stay in Melrose to raise their family.
Family was, of course, everything to Sally. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchild. You could find her on the sideline cheering her kids and grandkids on at their sporting events, which she rarely missed. She was an excellent mother and homemaker in the truest sense.
Sally kept a neat home, and it was always filled with an unconditional love. She liked to garden around the house, but she truly enjoyed knitting. She shared her passion with her friends in the “The Lunch Bunch,” where they would get together for food, and knitting as a group.
Sally also belonged to Theta, helped out at the Kappa Swap Shop, and enjoyed volunteering at the Mayor’s Office every week.
Sally was a big presence in everyone’s life. She fiercely loved her family and friends, ice hockey, and her community. She will be deeply missed.
Sally is the beloved wife of the late Robert W. Kennedy. Devoted mother of Sally E. French and her husband Jim of Melrose, Peggy Richardson and her husband Gary of Melrose, and Susan E. Bell and her companion Tim McSweeney of Melrose. Dear sister of Robert Marsolais and his wife Joanne of San Diego, Calif. Cherished grandmother of Lisa, Lori, Eddie, Bobby, Billy, Brian, and the late Gary Huber. Proud great-grandmother of Stephen, Tyler, Savanah, Brandon, Ben, Kaitlin, Erin, McKenna, Colton, Jillian, and Brian. Adored great great-grandmother of Ronan. Also survived by her niece Julie, and nephew Chris.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Sally’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, Oct. 26 and again on Saturday for her funeral service. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
