Ida Blanche Kennedy

Ida Kennedy, of Woodway, Washington; passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord, at the age of 85 on May 13, 2014 at her home with her loved ones at her side. She and her husband and three little girls moved into the home on Timberlane in 1956. Ida was honored as the oldest original resident of Woodway having lived there 58 years.Ida was born August 7, 1928 at Kidd Island Coeur dAlene, Idaho. She is the youngest of twelve children born to John Elias Finney and Harriett Ann Finney. Ida lost her beloved husband, Eugene in 1982. He was the only man she loved. She is survived by her twin brother Frank Finney, her brother William Finney, and brother Lawrence Finney. Ida is also survived by her five children: daughters Teresa Dahl, Ellen Brodland and husband Loren, Linda Schabell, and Barbara Gott and husband James, and her son Patrick Kennedy and wife Kathleen; and her forty grandchildren whom she loved dearly and numerous great grandchildren who were her joy. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.Ida loved children and was usually surrounded by several at a time. From 1969 to approximately 1999 she operated an in-home childcare business and has many other children whom she loved and who loved her. She loved to garden and prepare wholesome home-cooked meals with the fruits of her garden. Her raspberry jam was legendary. She was a devout Catholic and loved to dress the Altar with her beautiful bouquets of home grown flowers and greenery. She was artistic and creative and could do pretty much anything she put her mind to. She even wrote a book for her grandchildren. She loved poetry and would read poems to children until they were memorized. Ida taught her family to not just worship God, but to have a relationship with God and to appreciated Gods wonder and majesty in all things, even his smallest creatures and beauty of nature. She was moved by the beautiful songs of the birds. Ida would care for several baby birds who seemed to find their way to her those summers when her kids were young. She found God everywhere and showed everyone his Love. She would often meditate on the mystery that is God and try to convey to anyone who would listen to her spiritual revelations.Ida also loved her summer cabin on Lake Coeur dAlene and couldnt wait for her summers over there surrounded by her family. She loved to swim and when the lake was warm she would say oh, the water is like velvet. She would float on her back and admire the beautiful clouds. We would sit on the deck and dream and plan. Hey! shed say, I know what we can do! She always had a scathingly brilliant idea.She was loved and cherished by her family and will be missed beyond words.A Viewing to start at 6p.m. followed by Rosary at 7pm on Fri., May 16 will be held at Becks Tribute Center, 405 5 Avenue S, Edmonds. The Funeral Mass will be held at 12:45 on Sat., May 17 at St. Alphonsus Parish, 5816 15 Avenue NW in Seattle following with Interment at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in Shoreline.