Vivian I. 'Sassie' Kennedy

SIDNAW, Mich. — Vivian I. “Sassie” Kennedy passed away quietly in her home in Sidnaw, with her children by her side on Jan. 7, 2015.

She was 100 years old and had lived in her home on the banks of Lake 13 for 69 years.

Vivian was born March 19, 1914, in Coldwater, to Alfred and Genevieve (Walker) Teachout.

Vivian grew up on a farm in rural Coldwater, attended local schools, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1931. She then attended Branch County Normal where she obtained a teaching certificate. Her first teaching assignment was at Kinderhook from 1932-’35. She put her teaching career on hold in June of 1935 to marry Keith E. Kennedy and became a homemaker and mother. In 1946, the family moved to Sidnaw, and she and her husband began a hunting and fishing resort. In 1948, Vivian renewed her teaching certificate and began teaching grades fifth through eighth at the Sidnaw School. She attended summer classes at Northern Michigan University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree (summa cum laude). She continued her teaching career in Kenton, Paynesville, Watton and Trout Creek, retiring in 1977.

In 1976, she was selected a Teacher of the Year and her name was recorded in the National Publication of Outstanding Leaders in elementary education.

Vivian was a member of the Sidnaw Methodist Church and had served as treasurer, pastor-parish relations chairman, Sunday school teacher, as well as chief cook and bottle washer for many years. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary 8945, life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Michigan Association Retired School Personnel.

Vivian was always a homemaker and busy lady, catering to her guests in the cottages, quilting, embroidering, Swedish weaving and canning fruits and vegetables. She was also a very avid reader. She always had beautiful gardens of both flowers and vegetables and she loved watching the thousands of birds coming to the feeders in her yard.

Vivian is survived by three children, Bart (Becky) Kennedy, Jane Wyatt and Faith (Tom) Stenson, all of Sidnaw; six grandchildren, Kathleen, Thomas, Keith, Elizabeth, Khris and Sean; eight great-grandchildren, David, Katrina, Morgan, Danielle, Bobbi Leigh, Matt, Matthew and Caitlin; step-grandchildren, Shelley, Kent and Koren; a great-great grandson, Jakob; a brother, Ronald (Pauletta) Teachout, of Coldwater, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; parents, Alfred and Genevieve Teachout; and sisters, Merian Long and Evelyn Pierce.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Sidnaw United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Rhoades and Pastor John Henry officiating. The family will receive friends at church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Covington VFW Auxiliary will conduct a service at church at 2:30 p.m. Fellowship and a luncheon will be held in the church hall immediately following the funeral service.

Memorials in Vivian’s honor may be directed to the Sidnaw United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at church.

Interment will take place in the Lockwood Cemetery, Coldwater, Mich.

Mrs. Kennedy’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at rfsc.net.

The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, has been entrusted with the a arrangements.