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Frances Stevia Kennedy, age 77, of Inverness Florida died peacefully at her home on May 16, 2015 amongst her family and in the care of Hospice of Citrus County.
Frances was born in Rutland, Vermont on November 27, 1937 to her parents Alexander and Mary Sobotka. She Graduated from Rutland High and went on to attend Business College then moved to Ohio where she worked in advertising for the Cincinnati Enquirer. She later moved back to Vermont and in 1960 married her High school sweet heart Daniel J. Kennedy. After a few years the couple moved to Old Greenwich, Connecticut where Frances was a member of the Women Auxiliary of J.C. America, and along with her husband owned and operated a wine and cheese shop (Bit of Cheese). After selling their shop Frances started working at the Stanford Connecticut Modeling Agency and did volunteer work at Greenwich Memorial Hospital. The couple lived several years in Connecticut before moving their family to Pittsford Perinton, N.Y. where Frances taught tennis and enjoyed raising their children. The family eventually found their way back to Vermont where Frances managed the family owned businesses, Kennedy Collection Agency and later Prescott Drugs.
After years of marriage and raising four children, the couple separated and Frances moved back to the state of New York with their youngest daughter Tara. Her years of employment there were with Siena College’s athletic department in Loudenville, where she took advantage of furthering her education. She then went on to work at Albany Medical Center’s department of Nephrology for several years. She earned her New York State realtor’s license and enjoyed working part time as a realtor. During this time she met her significant other of 22 years Dr. Henry Beveridge Phelps also of Rutland Vermont. In 1995 she said goodbye to the cold Northeast and moved to Florida. It is here she worked her final years before retirement at The David Lawrence Center as a medical records coordinator in Naples. Upon her retirement she and Mr. Phelps lived In Vero Beach for a few years and later moved to Ocala Florida. After his passing in 2011 Frances moved to Inverness Florida to spend her last years with her beloved children and grandchildren.
Frances will be best remembered as a woman of class, refinement and intelligence. Yet, she was very down to earth and enjoyed having fun. She loved to take her children on trips and adventures. She would do anything from taking them camping and fishing to helping them collect any kind of creature or animals they found interesting. She was very artistic and creative, was also an avid Bridge and tennis player and was not afraid of hard work. Frances was a beautiful woman both inside and out. She had a giving heart and would sacrifice anything she had, especially for those she loved. She often stated that the happiest times of her life were those spent raising her children. Her soft blue eyes, warm smile and fun nature will remain forever in the hearts of all those who knew her.
Frances leaves behind her, son Daniel J. Kennedy II and his wife Patricia of Portland Tennessee, daughters Tara Kennedy and Kristin McLean of Inverness Florida , grandchildren Preston Hunter Kennedy, Payton Patrick Mclean, Killian Michael McLean and Ireland Elizabeth McLean all of Inverness Florida and Kennedy Quinn Ray of Naples Florida. Sisters Mary Ann Christie of Cincinnati Ohio and Nancy Sobotka of Portland Oregon. Along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Kelli Kennedy Ray, Grandson Braden Kennedy Ray, sister Leona Ryan, brother Edward Sobotka and parents Mary and Alexander Sobotka.
A private family ceremony will be held by the family at a later date.
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