Mary Jo Kennedy 001Mary Jo Kennedy, 73, of LaPorte, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2012, in her home.

She was born Oct. 30, 1938, in LaPorte to Albion B. and Sophia (Wendzicki) Ruminski.

Mary Jo was a 1956 graduate of St. Joseph Academy in Tipton, IN. She continued her education, receiving her bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN. Mary Jo also attended St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She was an active member of St. Peter Catholic Church, LaPorte, where she was a member of the parish choir and a cantor. Mary Jo began her teaching career in LaPorte and then went on to teach at Queen of All Saints School, Michigan City, IN, for more than 20 years. During her career there, she directed many Christmas pageants. She retired from St. Mary of the Lake School, New Buffalo, MI. Mary Jo especially enjoyed working with children and various music programs. She had also been a longtime member, director and actor at the LaPorte Little Theatre; member of the Friends of the Library Board in LaPorte, and she enjoyed tutoring students in guitar.

On Aug. 1, 1959, in LaPorte, she married John Russell Kennedy, who preceded her in death Aug. 26, 2007.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; one son, Paul Kennedy; and two brothers, Daniel and Patrick Ruminski.

Surviving are her daughter, Laura (Anthony) Pelletier of San Diego, CA; two sons, Matthew (Cathi) Kennedy of Mishawaka, IN, and Andrew (Kelly) Kennedy of Hope, IN; two sisters, Barbara Zook of Michigan City and Regina (Bill) Kindig of Grawn, MI; three brothers, Mike (Marsha) Ruminski of LaPorte, Terry (Mary) Ruminski of Hot Springs, AR, and Andrew (Pam) Ruminski of LaPorte; 10 grandchildren, Matt, Dan, Jake, Nate, Sam, Connor, Chloe, Graham, Sophia and Joshua; and one great-grandchild, Elizabeth.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at St. Peter Catholic Church, LaPorte, with Rev. Joseph Angotti officiating. Visitation will be at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. and on Monday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Deacon Christopher Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Patton Cemetery, LaPorte.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, 1104 Monroe St., LaPorte, IN 46350; and to The New Day Foundation, P.O. Box 13, LaPorte, IN 46352-0013.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.