BETTY JEAN KENNEDY

Betty Jean Kennedy, 79, died June 20, 2010, after a brief but courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She died at home under the tender care of her daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Tony Noe of Wasilla.

Ms. Kennedy was born June 25, 1930, in Etowah, N.C., to Fred and Mattie Lee Stamey. Adventurous and brave, she moved to Alaska in 1961 with her best friend, Shirley McMahan, and her two young children, Janis and Kerry.

Determined to make a life for her family as a single mother, she worked in civil service at Fort Richardson in Anchorage. After her children were grown, the two friends left Alaska for San Francisco. Together, they lived with their dear friend Blair Howard, first in California and then in Oregon, for many happy years. Ms. Kennedy nursed Lee and then Blair with strength and tenderness until each died of natural causes. In 2002, she returned home to Alaska to live with her family.

“Beyond being a devoted and faithful friend, Jean lived to love her family,” her family wrote. “She had close relationships with her son and daughter and respected each of them immensely. She surrounded herself with pictures of her family and looked at the pictures often with pride and joy in her heart. She cherished every conversation with those she loved, treasured every card and kind word, rejoiced in every accomplishment and cried with every heartbreak.

“Generous and devoted, Jean delighted in providing for her family. She loved to give gifts and spend quality time with those she loved. Jean adored her family, which loves her beyond measure.”

Ms. Kennedy is survived by her daughter, Jan Noe, and her husband, Tony, of Wasilla, and her son, Kerry Kennedy, and his wife, Beth, of Anchorage.

Nama or Grammy, as she was lovingly known, also leaves behind five grandchildren, Jill Dascalu and her husband, Ernie, of Las Vegas, Chad Potts of Portland, Ore., Sara Macomb and her husband, Ryan, of Anchorage, Erin Saunders and her husband, Joe, of Anchorage and Josh Kennedy of Anchorage. She also has nine beloved great-grandchildren: Shelby, Erikka, Carmen, Cameron, Caylee, Cerra, Faith, Jack and Madelyn. She was joyfully anticipating the births of her 10th and 11th great-grandchildren, David and Olivia.

Ms. Kennedy is also survived by her beloved niece, Margaret “Bunny” Parker, and her husband, King, of Washington, and their family; nephews, Eddie Corn and Jay Bell; sister, Jessie James, of Manassas, Va., and her nieces, June, Julia, Linda, Jennifer, and their extended families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Horace, Haskel and Jack, and sisters, Ruth and Hazel.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. Larry Lawson of Wasilla for his extreme kindness and tender care.

As requested, no services will be held, but donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.