Julienne Marjorie Mckinnon

Obituary Julienne "Julie" Marjorie Fenske Kennedy McKinnon Our beloved and cherished Grandma Julie was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 25, 1920 to Harry D. and Esther (Emling) Fenske, the second of five children. She passed peacefully from this earthly life and into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 2, 2012. She was a bright, beautiful and courageous woman who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1942 with a B.A. in Education. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternity. Julie taught school in Birmingham and Dearborn Hills, Michigan, and the Francis Parker School in Chicago, Illinois until her marriage to James J. Kennedy in 1945. They lived in Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette, Illinois until they moved to Washington, D.C. when Dr. Kennedy was assigned to the National Institutes of Health during the Korean War. Following the death of her husband, she was employed as an administrative liaison between various colleges and the government. She was able to send all of her children to college because of her skillful and judicious management of her financial resources. We are all tremendously grateful for this gift of education. She always said, "no one can ever take your education away from you". She encouraged us to pursue our academic dreams with passion and determination. Julie moved to Oregon to be closer to her adult children. There, she met and married her husband Colan McKinnon. They enjoyed many happy years and adventures together. After his death she moved with her son Michael to Tacoma, and happily spent the last several years at Franke Tobey Jones. Julie was a gifted athlete, figure skater, downhill and cross country skier, competitive golfer and tennis player, swimmer, and dancer. She was a beautiful writer, avid reader, and life long learner. Julie, a member of many garden clubs, spent many happy hours in her gorgeous and creative garden, tending to her abundant flowers, finely pruned trees, and a greenhouse full of award winning orchids. Because of her knowledge and expertise, she was a volunteer guide at the National Arboretum. Julie was an enthusiastic Girl Scout Leader and camp counselor. She was a Sunday School teacher and Director of Christian Education at her church and a member of the Assistance League. Julie enjoyed many hobbies and interests, including geology, marine biology, embroidery, cooking and entertaining. She enjoyed sharing her interests with her grandchildren. Julie maintained many lifelong friendships because of her faithfulness and dedication to those she loved. Julie is survived by sons James (Deb) of Corvallis, Oregon, Michael of Tacoma, and daughters Julie Ann Baer (Douglas) of Parker, Colorado, and Susan Kennedy-Gray (Richard Gray) of Fox Island, Washington. She was predeceased by her son John Timothy, husbands James and Colan, parents Harry and Esther, and sister Enid. She was a proud grandmother of 13, step-grandmother of 2, great-grandmother of 9, and step-great-grandmother of 2. The focus of her life was her family, her greatest pride and joy. She celebrated the birth of a new grandchild with an uncommon enthusiasm, and was always ready to skillfully lend a helping hand. Julie's life will be honored and celebrated with a funeral service on Friday, October 12, 2012 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 11:00, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Charitable Subsidy at the Franke Tobey Jones Retirement Estates, 5340 N. Bristol, Tacoma, Washington 98407. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.