Elvira "Dolly" Kennedy

Elvira “Dolly” Kennedy December 12, 1926 - March 25, 2023 Elvira Kennedy, 96, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. Elvira, affectionately known to family and friends as “Dolly”, was born at the Somerset Medical Center (now RWJ Somerset) on December 12, 1926, the first of her family to be born outside of the home. She grew up in a family of 12 children in Bound Brook, NJ. Her large family survived the Great Depression, an experience which taught her the values of hard work and sacrifice that she would carry with her throughout her life. During WWII, she saw many of her brothers join the service, all of whom survived to be honored veterans, and of whom she was profoundly proud. She married veteran Charles H. Kennedy on September 5, 1953; they settled in Hillsborough, where they had two children, Charlene and Kevin. Many graduates of Hillsborough High School may remember “Dolly” as the friendly cashier in the lunchroom. She had a lengthy career at Roche Labs (currently LabCorp) in Raritan NJ. She was particularly proud of her 20-year career at Walmart in Manville, being one of the very first employees at the location, before it even opened. During her tenure at Walmart, she made many friends, especially her best friend Carmela Hewitt, with whom she enjoyed frequent trips for coffee at the Dunkin Donuts in Manville. Up to her passing, she had remained very active, making regular visits to casinos with the Manville Seniors. She hosted family dinners every Christmas and Easter, turning out large meals from her tiny stove. It brought her tremendous joy to cook for her loved ones, and she would never sit down until everyone was served. She was proud of every member of her family and would happily share their achievements with all who would listen. She loved all animals, often rescuing small animals she would find in distress. She was particularly fond of cats, feeding hungry strays who would come to her door. Every feral cat in the county knew “Dolly”! Elvira is predeceased by her parents Emilio and Elena Consalvo; her siblings Vincenzo (“Jimmy”), Enrico (“Henry”), Maria Rose, Josephine (“Joan”), Sylvia, Frank, Armondo (“Monte”), Vincenza (“Jennie”), Julia (“Judy”), and Eugene; and her husband, Charles (“Sonny”). She is survived by her sister Pearl Rhodes; her children Charlene Correll and Kevin Kennedy; her grandchildren John Correll and Ryan Kennedy Correll; her great-grandchildren Oliver Ko Correll, Autumn Grace Correll, and Stanley Jameson Correll; and all of her nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and two times great nieces and nephews. The viewing will be held on Wednesday March 29, 2023 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Ketusky Funeral Home, 1310 Brooks Blvd., Manville NJ 08835. The Funeral will take place on Thursday, March 30, 2023 8:00 AM from the Ketusky Funeral Home followed by a 9:00 AM Mass at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church ( Christ the Redeemer Parish) 98 S 2nd Ave, Manville, NJ 08835. A burial will follow at Neshanic Cemetery, 688 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks donations be made in Elvira’s memory to Tabby’s Place (http://www.tabbysplace.org).

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Elvira "Dolly" Kennedy

December 12, 1926 - March 25, 2023