Jean R. Kennedy Williams was born in Oak Park, Illinois. She graduated from Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After high school she attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa and Parson’s School of Design in Chicago, Illinois.

Jean was a skilled seamstress. She loved gardening, and was an expert bridge player and avid reader. Her home was frequently the gathering place for extended family on holidays and special occasions. She loved to cook and was much appreciated for that talent. She was a member and active participant of the Presbyterian Church for much of her life.

She was employed as a Welcome Wagon Representative for the towns of Elmhurst and Westchester, Illinois for several years, and as such, she helped newcomers to get to know the area and represented area businesses to them. She also served as Administrative secretary of the Athletic Department of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois until her retirement.

Jean was the third of four children born to Don Wright and Florence Skiles Riley of Oak Park, Illinois. Her siblings include Margaret Hadley Pengilly of Indianapolis, Indiana and Dr. D. Alan Riley of Berkeley, California. She was predeceased by her brother, Clinton Riley of Glendale, Illinois.

She was predeceased by her husband, William F. Kennedy of Elmhurst, Illinois. They had four children; Gail Kolar and her husband, Kent of Milford, NH, William J. Kennedy and his wife, Cynthia of Elmhurst, IL and Susan L. Gruber and her husband, Peter of Westchester, IL. Her daughter, Donna K. Tannariello of Amherst, NH passed away on November 3, 2008. She also leaves a son-in-law, Pastor Ronald Tannariello of Amherst, NH.

Jean leaves 12 grandchildren, Tamara (David) Larson of Austin, TX, Laura (Per) Gustafsson of Concord, NH, Erica (Evan) Jeanes of Candia, NH, Sarah (Bryan) Moshier of Penacook, NH, Luke (Jamie) Tannariello of Nashua, NH, Joshua (Stephanie) Tannariello of Milford, NH, Matthew Kolar of Milford, NH, Brandon (Jen) Kolar of Boston, MA, Daniel (Catherine) Kolar of Manchester, NH, Bill Kennedy of Arcata, CA, Jamie Kennedy of Mt. Ida, AR and Erin Ramsay of Westchester, IL; also survived by 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews who knew and loved her.

In 1991, she was remarried to a high school sweetheart, Colin L. Williams, now deceased, with whom she spent 15 active years traveling to many interesting places and spending time between their homes at Lake Anna in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin and in Bradenton, Florida.

There are no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 1:00 pm in the Amherst Christian Church, 134 Hollis Road, Amherst, NH. Burial will be in Meadowview Cemetery, Amherst. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.