Amelia Purcell Kennedy, 93 years old, passed away on January 13, 2017 at Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ surrounded by family. She kept her sly sense of humor till the end. Born February 26, 1923 in Marshalltown, IA to the late John Henry Purcell and Otilde Winkler Purcell. In 1943, at a USO roller skating party in Peoria she met the love of her life, Pvt. William J. Kennedy, Jr. of New Haven, CT. On July 18, 1945, after Bill returned from service in the South Pacific, they were married in Peoria, IL and after the war, they moved to Connecticut. They moved to North Haven in 1953. In 1957, she was elected to the Town’s Board of Assessors and worked there for 7 years. In 1975, she was elected Town Clerk and Tax Collector. She served for 14 years, being reelected 6 times. In each election, she received the highest individual vote count of any candidate. An amazing accomplishment for someone with “Tax Collector” in her job title. This was because she treated everyone that came into her office as a friend and neighbor. She was on the Executive Board of the State Tax Collectors Association, President of the New Haven County Tax Collectors Association. She received numerous other certificates and awards, but none more meaningful than when the town proclaimed June 1, 1989 as Amelia Kennedy Day in honor of her long service and dedication to the town and her residents. She was also on the Visiting Nurse Association Board, Republican Women’s Club, North Haven Women’s Club, Red Hat Society and most importantly a Girl Scout Leader. Her love for family was strong and unwavering, never letting pettiness break bonds. She was a devout Catholic and member of St Barnabas for over 60 years. She is predeceased by; her parents; husband; daughter Barbara Griffin; her sister and best friend Margaret Purcell Lopreato; brothers Edward and John; niece Paulette Lopreato and great grandson Jared Kennedy. She is survived by sons; William III, Edward (Robin) and Mark; grandchildren; Bryce Griffin (Donna), Kelsey Griffin, Jonathan Kennedy (Cyndi), Meghan Kennedy Rickenbach (Lloyd) and 9 great grandchildren and her Goddaughter Judy Overholt.
There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven CT 06473 at 10 am May 5, 2017. Her ashes will be interred in a private ceremony immediately after. There will be a gathering of friends and family with light refreshments at a local restaurant around noon after the service.