Kathleen Ann (Kack) Kennedy

Kathleen A. Kennedy was called home to heaven on January 14, 2025, after a four year battle with heart disease.  Wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, her strong devotion of faith touched many lives.

Kathleen (Kack) was the youngest of six children born to John J. and Rose M. (Boehm) Kelly on December 31, 1933.  After graduating from Park County High School in 1951, she moved to Butte to attend Business College.  There she met the love of her life and beloved husband, Joe Kennedy. During their 48 years of marriage they raised four children, Larry, Lynne, Kathy Jo, and Patrick.

Kathleen and Joe moved to Billings in 1969, where they became lifelong parishioners of St. Pius X Catholic Church.  Possessed with a wicked sense of humor and strong work ethic, no doubt cultivated from her parents, Kack worked as a school bus driver which ultimately led her to a  long career as secretary of  St. Pius X elementary school, then St. Francis Upper School, where she retired in 2000.  She was very fond of the many students and staff she worked with over the years. And up until her death, she would often be recognized by former students who greeted her with smiles and hugs. After retiring, Kathleen continued working part time at the Book Place, helping customers and talking books as she was an avid reader.

She and Joe enjoyed traveling. Her favorite vacation spots included their trip to Ireland and an Alaskan cruise. After Dad passed, she took a church sponsored trip to Italy and the Vatican, a major highlight of her faith driven life.

Kathleen was an active member of her parish.  She was a member of the Council of Catholic Women, St. Michaels' Circle, serving at funeral mass luncheons and other CCW church related activities.
Kathleen enjoyed cards, playing with her friends in a Bridge Club. And she loved visiting with her friends in her coffee group.

Kathleen is survived by her children Larry (Teresa Kozak) Kennedy, Lynne (Ed) Gillig, Kathy Jo (Darren) Brockel, Patrick (Jordan Macfarlane) Kennedy. Grandchildren Sarah Kennedy, Grace Kennedy; Edward (Rebecca) Gillig, Paul Gillig; Cody (Brenna) Brockel, Landry (Anna) Brockel; Taelor, McKenzie, Bailey, Sean, Aidan Kennedy; and six beautiful great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceeded in death by her husband Joseph, her grandson Devin Kennedy and her siblings, Margarite Kelly, Sr. Moireen Kelly, Eleanor Maillet, John J. Kelly, Jr., Rosalind (Kissie) Calcaterra.

We wish to express our gratitude to the staff at Autumn Springs Assisted Living, as well as, the hospice nurses at Compassus for their high level of service and compassion provided to our Mom.

A vigil service will be held at Michelloti Sawyer Mortuary on Thursday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Church on Friday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. Internment to follow at Calvary Cemetery."