Alyce Gayle (Sandy) Kennedy

Alyce Gayle Kennedy (née Sandy) of St. Anthony Village, MN – Known as “Gayle” — passed away on August 20th, 2021.  Gayle was born on February 11, 1937 to Charles Herbert Sandy and Hildur Evelyn (Nelson) Sandy in Cleveland, OH and was raised throughout the United States.  She attended Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 1958.  

Gayle married her husband Edward Kennedy (also a graduate of UW-Madison) on August 29th, 1959 at St. Olaf Catholic church, and she and Ed raised their family in Saint Anthony Village, where Gayle was very active in the community, and in parish life at St. Charles Borromeo.   Gayle enjoyed playing bridge, volunteering throughout the Twin Cities, and in her work for IBM and later Mattel.    

Gayle was a strong, vibrant, and outgoing social woman who always had a supportive spirit.  She encouraged and promoted the best form those around her and she lived her values every day, opening her home and her heart to those who needed family. She was an adoptive “Super parent” of several U of MN competitive swimmers opening her home for them prior to the school year. Dr. Pawel Stachowicz spent more time there than others and is considered our 'adopted’ swimmer-brother. Gayle is the St. Anthony Sailfish swim team logo creator as an active volunteer in the AAU & USS Swimming programs, an avid reader, and masterful Bridge player. She was excellent in solving crossword puzzles and enjoyed doing other pictorial puzzles and cryptograms. Gayle was an excellent seamstress and ‘sewing extraordinaire’ and made many costumes and holiday outfits for her grandchildren. She taught us how to enjoy world-class horse racing and loved to travel the world, see new places, and meet new people. Gayle’s favorite color was yellow and she never was a fan of winter who frequently reminded us that snow is a four-letter word.  We celebrate all the wonderful moments we had with her!

Survived by 4 sons: Jeffrey (Julie), Keith, Douglas (Dr. Melissa), and Patrick (Matthew), Six grandchildren: Nicole (Logan) Kennedy-Vice, Dr. Amanda (Ben) Zehrer, Amber Carlson, Thomas (Bonnie), Michael and Owen and two Great Grand Children: Lucy & Henry Carlson and many relatives and friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents Hildur Evelyn (nee Nelson), Charles Herbert Sandy, her husband Edward J. Kennedy, and son John Paul.  

A memorial service at Billman-Hunt Funeral chapel (2701 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418) is planned for Friday September 17th starting with Visitation reception at 10AM, Memorial Service at 11 AM with fellowship afterward. Billmanhunt.com 612 789 3535

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