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Barbara Jeanne Kennedy, age 91 of Mahtowa, died on January 16, 2026 at the Cloquet Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. She was born in Minneapolis on May 6, 1934 to parents, Harry and Mabel Pearson. She was raised in Northeast Minneapolis where she graduated from Edison High School in 1952. This is where she met the love of her life, Bill Kennedy. After Bill returned from military service in Japan, they married in 1956. They moved to St. Cloud while Bill attended St. Cloud State College. They started their family in college housing, which was known as Maternity Row. They moved multiple times as Bill took various teaching jobs, before settling in Cloquet in 1967.
Barbara was an excellent seamstress, sewing everything from quilts to her children’s winter jackets, hats, mittens, and even their prom and wedding dresses. Every summer she would take the Boys Cloquet Hockey Jerseys home, to clean and mend. Her love of reading was passed down to her children. Reading to all of them at the top of the stairs every night. She knew how to stretch a dollar, making 5-star meals on a dollar menu budget. She kept the house immaculate, and made sure every outfit was ironed. Her family didn’t realize that a spotless house was standard until they started going to other peoples’ homes. She was a lover of animals. Her pets received the same love and attention to detail as her children. Every morning, she would line up 7 bowls for breakfast, 5 for the kids and 2 for the dogs. She loved life on the farm. Her gardens were almost as extraordinary as the wines and jelly they produced. Her Chokecherry and Dandelion wine are especially memorable. She was Bill’s right-hand-man, helping erect every new building. She helped Bill with his schoolwork as well, typing every one of his “Kennedy Packets”. She was one of the original members of the Cloquet Women’s Hockey Auxiliary and the first Auxiliary president. She also helped start the Cloquet ‘mite’ program.
She is preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, Bill; daughter, Kellee; brothers, Ron (Bernice), Gary (Paulette); and sister-in-law, Jeanette. She is survived by children, Kolleen (Glenn Kulyk), Kathleen (Tom) Garsow, Kasey, and Klancy; 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Pearson. Barb was blessed to have many great friends. Special thanks to Jack & Gena Pichotta, and Dan & Jan Stanaway for their continued visits and weekly calls. It meant so much to our mom. To be a friend of Barb was to have a friend for life. She loved the view of the pond from her kitchen window, where she watched the morning sunrise. She gave more than she received and will be greatly missed. We would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at the Cloquet Memorial Hospital for their love and care.
Per Barb's request, there will be no funeral services.
