Ann Evelyn Kennedy's Obituary
Ann Evelyn Kennedy was born on a winter’s evening on December 30, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan and thereafter brought joy and laughter to the world for the next 90 years. On October 26, 2024, after courageously living each day to the fullest she was returned in glory to our Heavenly Father. Words are inadequate to describe the earthly impact and influence of this incredibly beautiful and effervescent woman. Though she be but little she was fierce, and her love of life and her family was boundless. The enormity of the loss of this beautiful mother, grandmother, confidant, and friend is incalculable.
Ann grew up in Dearborn, Michigan with her mother, Bernice Russell Feenan, her father, Charles Frank Feenan and her sisters Joan Taylor Jones and Jean Mary Lanci. She graduated from Fordham high school in 1951 and thereafter earned degrees in both Nursing and Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. In 1957, she married Dr. William B. Cromer, an aviation flight surgeon, and relocated to Richardson, Texas in the early 1960’s. Though their union was not eternal, it resulted in the gift of two children, Kevin Browning Cromer and Kamela Ann Cromer Wilkinson who each provided her a lifetime of love, adoration and devotion. In 1970, Ann decided to leave the medical field and parlayed life’s adversity into opportunity when she founded Cromer Interiors, Inc. a commercial design firm which Ann opened in Richardson, Texas. Capitalizing on her unlimited energy, magnanimous personality and business smarts, Ann secured many impressive contracts and jobs in the design field, including such notable commercial projects as the Richardson Medical Center, Spectradyne, Inc. in Richardson, Seven Seas of Arlington, the Crystal Palace restaurant, and numerous showrooms at the World Trade Center in Dallas.
In 1985, Ann married the love of her life, attorney, Jack Gordon Kennedy of Sherman, Texas. They loved each other unconditionally and completely. Together they built a magnificent home overlooking Lake Texoma where they spent 35 years of love hosting family and friends, traveling, fly fishing in the Big Horn and serving the community of Pottsboro. Ann was the consummate hostess, and a tremendous cook who especially enjoyed serving her signature salmon, spaghetti, and oyster dressing. She was generous, thoughtful, encouraging and a wonderful conversationalist. Ann loved people and people loved Ann. Ann and her beloved daughter, Kamela, shared an exceptionally close and deeply intimate bond throughout her life and together they enjoyed hours of laughter and years of sharing the infinite beauty of this relationship. Ann was ever present by her son Kevin’s side. Her unwavering presence and support provided Kevin with an opportunity for transformation at Pathways Core Training of Las Colinas which he credits to leading him to salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ and becoming a loving father to his remarkable daughter, Cason.
Next to enjoying a cocktail with Jack overlooking the lake, Ann’s happiest memories were made in Akumal, Mexico where she was deeply loved and revered. Ann spent many Happy Hours with Jack and their blended family in Akumal, and she took great pleasure making this a destination that all who were fortunate enough to spend time in their paradise never forgot. It is comforting to know that now Ann is everywhere she always loved to be. Ann and Jack loved their friends from the boat dock and the Friday nights at the VFW; and after Jack’s death in 2017, Ann cherished her friendship with the ladies of Tanglewood who took her under their wing. Probably the most endearing of Ann’s many qualities were her gorgeous smile, deep blue eyes and her incredible storytelling capability. These qualities will live on in perpetuity.
Ann is survived by her son, Kevin Cromer and granddaughter, Cason Cromer of Garland, her daughter, Kamela Ann Wilkinson, son in law Bill, grandchildren Jack, Cole, and Lily Wilkinson, of Dallas, her sister, Jean Mary Lanci of Florida, and her nieces Susan Crowley, Sharon Crilley, Linda Simon, and Carol Radman and their families.
Ann loved Jack’s children- son Mark Kennedy (deceased) and wife Dianna Kennedy, their daughters Morgan Kennedy Pine (Steven) and Julianne Kennedy, their son Eric Kennedy (Stephanie); his son, David Kennedy (Terri) and their children Adam Kennedy, Lindsay Kennedy Parham, Jessica Kennedy Mumm; his daughter Pamela Kennedy Taylor, and her son, Preston Taylor; and, his daughter Marla Kennedy.
On behalf of Ann, the family would like to thank Maria Romero and Jaqueline Montano for the loving care that they provided for Ann and Jack in their final years. Additionally, the family gratefully recognizes the medical care and compassion provided to Ann and Jack by Dr. Mackey Watkins and his staff, and the medical clarity provided to the family by Ann and Jack’s granddaughters Morgan and Julianne, both of whom are nurses. Finally, the family lovingly acknowledges the selfless actions of Ann’s extraordinary lifelines Csipet Moberly and Roger Sanders. Ann’s last years were blessed by the friendship of Johnna Clark, Sherrie Anderson, Jeanne Gallinger, Reverend Frank Alegria, the other members of the Friday Night Group.
Ann’s funeral will be held on November 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Wildwood Chapel located at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas.
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