Ruth Kennedy

Surrounded by loving family, Ruth MacNab Kennedy passed away peacefully on April 21, 2011. She was born September 30, 1920 in Cleveland Ohio to Alma Stone MacNab and Edward J. MacNab, both of whom preceded her in death. Ruth was very proud of her Scottish and Austrian heritage. Her travels spurred and maintained connections to MacNab relatives in Scotland. Ruth grew up in Shaker Heights and schooled through the SHHS system. She loved athletics, particularly dance and swimming. Ruth attended Miami of Ohio and later trained in ophthalmic technology at the Cleveland Clinic where the Chair of Opthalmology, Dr. Ruedemann, asked her to assist him in his Detroit's office. There she met and married Francis Schwarz, MD, an opthalmologist, who developed his practice in Cleveland. Following Dr. Schwarz's premature death in 1958, Ruth worked as an executive secretary in the Dept. of Cardiology at St. Luke's Hospital. She later met husband, Kerm Kennedy, on a blind date and they married in 1961. Numerous and hilarious Kennedy/MacNab clan gatherings were held in the ensuing years, often at "the cottage," at Huronia Beach, Huron Ohio on Lake Erie. Ruthie and Kerm had great times and travels with Cleveland and Canadian maritime trade friends over the years. Many included the Greenbriar and freighter trips through the Soo St. Marie Locks up to Canada for Ruth, friends and family. Ruth and Kerm loved their winter retreat in Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL where they graciously entertained many family and friends during the 60's and 70's. Sadly, Ruthie became the primary caregiver for her husband with Alzheimer's disease and her mother who suffered a stroke simultaneously for almost a decade. After Kerm died, Ruthie devoted her acquired knowledge and skills to the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Alzheimer's Association where she starred as a compassionate, thoughtful and articulate mentor to numerous families through helpline, educational and support programs. She knew when and how to listen and always the right thing to say. From the day she sold her exam textbook to pay for a dress for a Miami dance and throughout her life, Ruth became a Cleveland "fashionista" whose shoe collection rivaled the likes of Imelda! Her home was adorned with fresh flowers from her abundant and lovingly tended garden. She was an animal lover, from Chum her childhood Chow, the flocks of birds in her yard fed year round, her "pet" squirrel who daily played her hidden-nut game, to her beloved canine, Bitsey, and cats, Axl and Gilby. She was as generous with her money as she was with her time to church, animal welfare, the Sight Center and Alzheimer's causes. Throughout the years, she shopped and traveled the Far East, Europe and African Safari with Jane Ward, her dear friend. For many years Ruthie weekly joined cousin, Margaret MacNab, Jane and other Cleveland friends for exercise classes, lunch and shopping. For the last three years she moved to Arizona to be with family, where she found great joy and was a big part of the arrivals and growth of her great granddaughters. She was a generous, thoughtful and loving mother to Eliza Kennedy Kendall of Scottsdale AZ; grandmother dubbed "Rootie Tootie" to Eric Kendall of Lenexa KS and Kris Kendall-Smith of Scottsdale AZ; great grandmother "Gigi" to McKenna Lee Kendall and Peyton Kendall Smith; and "big" sister to Bruce MacNab of Pioneer CA. She will be sorely missed by MacNab, Mandell, Master and Slacin nieces and nephews, Shoos cousins and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her step- mother Thelma Shoos MacNab, brother, Robert MacNab and husbands, Francis Schwarz and Kermit A. Kennedy. The family would like to thank the compassionate and capable care of the staff at VI of Grayhawk, Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, Ruthie would be pleased for you to donate to your choice of the Cleveland Animal Protective League: 1729 Willey Ave., Cleveland 44113, The Sight Center: 1909 East 101st St., P.O. Box 1988, Cleveland 44106-8696, The Salvation Army: 2507 East 22nd St., Cleveland or The Alzheimer's Association: Cleveland Area Chapter, P.O. Box 74924, Cleveland 44194-4924. On May 14, 2011, a memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon and reception thereafter at Plymouth Church.


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