Norma Jeanne Kennedy

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Norma Jeanne Kennedy, who passed away peacefully on October 12, 2024, at the age of 69. Born on February 13, 1955, in New Westminster, British Columbia. She grew up with a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in Canada, she often talked about the great times she had growing up. She moved to Seattle, Washington in her twenties where she started her own family and raising her son. Twenty years later a promotion in her career would see her move from the west coast to live in South Orange, New Jersey near company headquarters. She would later move across the New Jersey border into Pennsylvania where she could still be close enough to drive and visit Manhattan to enjoy the theaters, arts and shopping with friends and family. Norma lived a very fulfilling life and was a pioneering woman of many talents. She often traveled during her career and spoke at conferences and seminars across the USA meeting and bonding with like-minded people. She loved to help others and did not want children or adults to miss out on their life goals, opportunities or experiences just due to a lack of money or resources. She especially loved to give her time to those which she saw as neglected or overlooked by life, including restoring many homes and public spaces to their former beauty for others to enjoy and by adopting only high needs senior dogs, so their final months were in a very comfortable and loving home. She ran a charitable organization to pay pet medical expenses for low-income families. She also had a passion for nature and plants and loved landscaping and tending to her gardens, which were always in full bloom and amazing. She enjoyed golf, hosting parties and gatherings, reading, collecting books and especially antique shopping with friends, travelling all around and up and down the east coast. She was a generous soul, who put others needs before her own. Her love and compassion extended to all those who knew her whether professionally, personally or from the many projects and charities she contributed to in her life. She kept every card a person sent her over the many years, whether it was a simple thank you, birthday or holiday card she kept it. She deeply appreciated the kind gesture from those who knew her. She was a dedicated and loving Mother and Grandmother to Michael, Erica, Tanner and Parker Kennedy. You will forever be in our hearts and memories. To donate now online, through the Miller Symphony Hall website, please CLICK HERE: DONATE NOW! Thank you for your generous gift! (Live link included.) To donate by phone, give with your credit card, IRA, or Donor Advised Fund, please contact Geoff Harrington, Director of Development at 610-674-4387, or email gharrington@allentownsymphony.org. To donate by mail, please make your check out to Allentown Symphony Association, and mail to: Attn: Development, Allentown Symphony Association, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown, PA 18101. The Allentown Symphony Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are considered charitable contributions. Our tax identification number is 23-6272140.”