It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Maureen (Mo) Kennedy. She passed peacefully at home in Redmond WA following difficulties related to Metastatic Malignant Melanoma (metastasis to the brain) on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 at the age of 67. She is survived by her loving brothers and their wives, Art and Yvonne Babbitt of Texas, Jim and Jody Lake of Georgia and Kenny and Angie Lake of California. Maureen will also be greatly missed by her wonderful step-daughters Jody and Susan Churchfield in Seattle and her dear Goddaughter Katie Brown in Michigan.
Maureen was born on April 1st, 1944 in Buffalo, New York to Gertrude Virginia Mackay Parker/Babbitt and Allyn Dale Babbitt. She thought it was quite funny that she was an "April Fool's baby" and that self-deprecating humor was one of her most endearing qualities. Maureen had a very fulfilling career as an Executive Administrator at both Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft Corporation between 1978 and 2009. During her retirement, Mo was very excited to fulfill her passion for photography, engage with the Send-Out Cards corporation and most importantly, spend time with her many friends and family members. Prior to the onset of her illness in May 2011, Maureen was having significant success with her goals of building a professional photography business, launching her Daily Word emails concept and creating a flourishing Send-Out Cards program. Maureen loved to travel and through her camera lens, created beautiful imagery of each destination which many have enjoyed and will continue to do so long past her far too short time on this earth. Maureen was a loving and creative individual who left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known her. She will be greatly missed but her spirit will live on in the family that she created amongst her close friends and relatives.
Maureen's request was that there not be a formal service upon her death. She was open to a more joyous "Irish Wake", the details of which will be shared once they are finalized. Maureen's ashes will be interred at her brother Art Babbitt's ranch in Colorado.
Maureen's family and friends would like to thank the Group Health Cancer Hospice organization, the staff at Virginia Mason hospital and the many people who gave of their time and energy to ensure that in Maureen's final days she was surrounded by love and comfort.
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust
So sorry for this loss of such a wonderful person to us all.
Maureen and I shared a wonderfully fun whale-watching trip together while she worked in Mountain View at Microsoft. Much laughter and joy in that boat! May your journey onward be as surprising and blessed, Maureen. Blessings from Ellen.
Dear Maureen, our Mo and Sister,
We miss you, but we have some very precious memories in our hearts that will remain with us always. In looking at your picture with that nice smile and camera in hand we will never forget your joy whenever a great photo op presents itself. Through your skills with the camera you have allowed us to have a memory album that we can look back on with smiles and love.
We both enjoyed being together with you at Keven's wedding and again the marvelous visit we had this past July where we shared love, tears and joined with you and your resolve to get to see your brother Art.
Our greatest and most heartfelt joy is that you know Jesus as Lord and so we trust you are with Him now in the Heavenly Kingdom. We found a thank you card dated 1987 from a woman you had prayed for at the bible study when all the women prayed for each other. She wrote how she had experienced immediate healing from severe neck pain and wanted to thank you for your prayers. Isn't that awesome! God was using you in a very special way.
One of our memories is that you were a very special daughter to Momsie and Pop. Momsie loved you from the time she met you and you were her very own daughter. We are sure she is grateful for all the "grand puppies" you gave her.
Thank you for allowing us to get to know Cathy and Chaz and the rest of Team Mo, what a wonderful experience it was for us to know that you were so well taken care of. We thank God for Jody and Susan, Phil and Paul who cared for you so well.
We will hold you in our hearts until we see you again.
We love you,
Kenny and Angie
My dearest Maureen,
We had so many roadtrip adventures. I will always remember our fun hours in socks shops and the crazy socks we bought! I still wear the turquoise ring I bought on our last trip up the coast when we stopped in Mendocino. My computer is full of the thousands of pictures we took. Your beautiful contributions to this world will live on in the fabulous pictures you took. I will be forever thankful to God that He prompted me to come for a visit October 25-27. Those were very special moments with you , Jody and Paul. I am missing you and yet I see your beautiful smiling face taking magnificent pictures of your glorious new home in Heaven. Remember what I said...who ever gets there first needs to be the greeter at the gate--so see you when I get there! I love you, Trish
PS. Jody and Paul and the Seattle crew--God bless you for your loving care of Maureen. I know she felt loved into the Kingdom.
Mo,
I am so sorry to hear that you left us so soon. Although we did not know each other well, you managed to touch my life over the years we worked together. You will be missed by myself, as well as the numerous others like myself have been touched by your genuine love of life, friends and people. God bless.
Dear Jody, Paul, Susan & Phil - You are each in our thoughts and prayers during this sorrowful time. May your hearts be lightened by fond memories of our delightful, fun-loving, easy going, genuinely happy Maureen. She spread joy to whom all she came in contact and was so much fun to be around. We loved her very much and will deeply miss her.
Much love,
Cathy & Ken
Mo, we go back many years from the old CA days to present day, and there are so many memories from all the fun things we used to do, all the talking we did, all the work-related stuff we did, all the travel we did esp when I spent long wknds w/you, etc., etc., etc. And oh how we loved to take 100s of photos. You were dearly loved by so many and you provided much happiness and enthusiasm for life to us all. We miss you and we'll see you again one of these days. You are now at peace w/our Heavenly Father.
Lots of love and BIG hugs for always!
I am so sad that you had to leave us so soon but am glad you had a peaceful passing. I know you were very grateful to my son Paul and your daughter Jody who took care of you in their home until the end and made you feel comfortable. Thank you for welcoming me into your home when I visited Washington. Sleep peacefully Maureen. You will be missed.
We love and honor your life, your journey and your spirit Auntie Mo. I will remember Calligraphy lessons at 10 years old and the days with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Kenny and Aunt Angie and Mom, Dad and Kev together in California. You possessed your father's independent spirit and sense of humor and definitely his smile. Independently you possessed the ability to make anyone laugh at any moment. I am grateful for the days you spent with my children, Michael and Loren, and with the Lake clan kids, Maria, Matheus and James. We all loved you well in life and just wish there was more time for us all to be together. We all appreciate your Seattle family, all your friends and daughters who gave such wonderful care to you these past months. It is a testament to the life you lived that you were surrounded by love every day and in the end as I know you are enveloped by the love of your Lord and Saviour now in heaven. We will meet again and I look forward to hearing your laughter and getting one of those awesome Auntie Mo hugs. We love you and wish you peace and love in the hereafter.
You are a wonderful friend and have made me feel like family. I will treasure all of my memories - there are so many Mo'isms to remember. I am picturing you with Fudge right now, but also missing you dearly. Thank you for being my friend.
Maureen was a breath of fresh air and will be missed by all who knew her.
My dear friend it was an honor to share your battle and to have been with you to the end. I will remember you always and you will live on in the lives of those who loved you. You had so many people that gave you added as strength. Most of all you had the wonderful care of your daughters who were always a tower of strength to everyone.
Thank you Maureen for all the love, support and laughter that you have provided as my "Seattle Mom" over the last 6 years. I miss you already but am comforted by the fact that you are now at peace.
I am thankful that I was able to help care for you over these last 7 months and give back even the smallest amount of what you have so selflessly provided for me. God bless you .... you will stay in my heart forever.
t
xoxoxoxo
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