Giulia Mary Reano Kennedy
February 2, 1917 - December 16, 2016
Obituary
Giulia Mary Reano Kennedy
1917 – 2016
Giulia Mary Reano Kennedy died peacefully in the presence of her son on December 16, 2016 at 2:42 a.m., in Des Moines, WA at the age of 99 years, 10 months and 14 days. Her consistently kind-hearted disposition will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was born on February 2, 1917, in Port Orchard, WA the youngest child of Giovanni “John” Michele Reano and his wife Marianna Valentina Beltramo. In 1920 the family moved to a farm in Kent, WA. The farm is now occupied by the Howard Johnson Inn on Central Avenue North. At age 7 she contracted polio leaving her unable to walk without crutches. She never let her disability hold her back. She was the salutatorian for the Kent High School Class of 1936 and a graduate of Wilson Business College in Seattle. During WWII, she served her country on the draft and rationing boards. After the war, she worked for Kent Motors and later the General Services Administration (GSA) in Seattle. In 1948 she purchased a Buick with an automatic transmission that finally granted her the freedom drive herself. She toured the western United States with her mother visiting National Parks and relatives along the way. At the GSA, she met Francis “Frank” Joseph Kennedy whom she married on November 18, 1950. They lived in Riverton Heights where their son, Richard, was born on December 6, 1953. On weekends, they both worked at the Highline Spanish Castle dance hall on Pacific Highway S. In October 1955, they moved to Des Moines, WA. Their daughter, Kathy, was born on February 23, 1961. Giulia traveled to Ciconio, Italy, her parents’ hometown, to visit her extended family. She enjoyed working on her family’s genealogy, collecting coins, stamp and match books, and watching her favorite soap opera “All My Children.”
She was predeceased by her parents, sister Katherine Julia Reano Fabbri, brother Angelo Anthony, and her husband Francis. She is survived by her son Richard and daughter-in-law Heidi; daughter Kathy Kennedy; granddaughter Marianna Kennedy; niece Sally Fabbri Hile; and nephews Robert Reano, Frank Reano, and Thomas Reano.
A public viewing will be held on Thursday, December 22 from 2 – 5 pm at Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd, Sea-Tac, WA. A public service will be held there on Friday, December 23 at 11 am, followed by a reception. Everyone is welcome.
Remembrances can be made to the Des Moines Historical Society, PO Box 98055, Des Moines, WA 98198-0055.
My condolences to you all. Knowing “Mrs. Kennedy” all my life, having grown up next door, has been rewarding to me. She showed me perseverance in her everyday life by doing her gardening, driving, cooking, and just taking care of a busy household despite having to use crutches. Just goes to show that not all life lessons are taught verbally.
Joyce Stockman