1931
Joan
2007
Joan M. Kennelly
December 13, 1931 — May 9, 2007
Mrs. Joan Kennelly, a longtime Westfield resident and public service activist, died on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 after a lengthy illness.
Born in Nanticoke, PA, Mrs. Kennelly moved to Westfield 40 years ago. She attended Douglass College of Rutgers University. For seven years she worked for IBM as a systems analyst prior to becoming active in Westfield politics. She served as Chairwoman of the Westfield Democratic Club for several years, as a county committeewoman and as delegate to the 1972 Democratic Presidential Convention.
Most recently Mrs. Kennelly served as Deputy Union County Clerk from 1996 to her retirement in 1999. Previously she served as Assistant Chief Clerk for the Union COunty Register of Deeds and Mortgages from 1984 to 1989 when she was appointed Deputy County Register. During the transition and prior to the merger of the County Registrar and Clerk Offices, Mrs. Kennelly served as Acting Register of Deeds and Mortgages from January 1996 to May 1996. She was active in the Constitutional Officers Association of NJ and served as secretary to the Registers and Clerks Divisions.
Prior to her services in the County Clerk's Office, she served as the Clerk to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1979 to 1981. She also served as a legislative aide to the late State Senator Alexander Menza.
"Joan Kennelly was a person of high professional standards and great integrity," Ms. Joan Rajoppi, the County Clerk and longtime friend, said. "Joan was a dedicated and committed public officer working on behalf of our county residents. It was on her watch that technology and innovation were introduced into the Registers' and Clerks' offices. She was an integral part of the offices' modernization into the 21st century and leaves a lasting legacy."
Mrs. Kennelly, an advocate for animals, was a volunteer for Lifeline Animal Shelter for the past two years where she served as a foster parent to animals awaiting adoption as well as caring for those in kennels. She also was a frequent traveler especially to the AMerican West, an area she loved, as well as visiting with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Kennelly is the beloved wife of Thomas Kennelly and the mother of Thomas of Boston, MA and Christopher of Jackson Hole, WY. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Alexandria and Nathan And daughter - in law Tony Klein of Boston; her granddaughter Shannon and daughter-in-law Jennifer Kennelly of Jackson Hole; her sister, Lois Paterson and brother-in-law, Lester of Spring Lake, MI along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10 am in the Gray Funeral Home 318 East Broad Street, Westfield. Visiting will be on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Associated Humane Societies of NJ would be appreciated.
Born in Nanticoke, PA, Mrs. Kennelly moved to Westfield 40 years ago. She attended Douglass College of Rutgers University. For seven years she worked for IBM as a systems analyst prior to becoming active in Westfield politics. She served as Chairwoman of the Westfield Democratic Club for several years, as a county committeewoman and as delegate to the 1972 Democratic Presidential Convention.
Most recently Mrs. Kennelly served as Deputy Union County Clerk from 1996 to her retirement in 1999. Previously she served as Assistant Chief Clerk for the Union COunty Register of Deeds and Mortgages from 1984 to 1989 when she was appointed Deputy County Register. During the transition and prior to the merger of the County Registrar and Clerk Offices, Mrs. Kennelly served as Acting Register of Deeds and Mortgages from January 1996 to May 1996. She was active in the Constitutional Officers Association of NJ and served as secretary to the Registers and Clerks Divisions.
Prior to her services in the County Clerk's Office, she served as the Clerk to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1979 to 1981. She also served as a legislative aide to the late State Senator Alexander Menza.
"Joan Kennelly was a person of high professional standards and great integrity," Ms. Joan Rajoppi, the County Clerk and longtime friend, said. "Joan was a dedicated and committed public officer working on behalf of our county residents. It was on her watch that technology and innovation were introduced into the Registers' and Clerks' offices. She was an integral part of the offices' modernization into the 21st century and leaves a lasting legacy."
Mrs. Kennelly, an advocate for animals, was a volunteer for Lifeline Animal Shelter for the past two years where she served as a foster parent to animals awaiting adoption as well as caring for those in kennels. She also was a frequent traveler especially to the AMerican West, an area she loved, as well as visiting with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Kennelly is the beloved wife of Thomas Kennelly and the mother of Thomas of Boston, MA and Christopher of Jackson Hole, WY. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Alexandria and Nathan And daughter - in law Tony Klein of Boston; her granddaughter Shannon and daughter-in-law Jennifer Kennelly of Jackson Hole; her sister, Lois Paterson and brother-in-law, Lester of Spring Lake, MI along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10 am in the Gray Funeral Home 318 East Broad Street, Westfield. Visiting will be on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Associated Humane Societies of NJ would be appreciated.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan M. Kennelly, please visit our flower store.
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