Patricia Doran Kennedy

Patricia “Pat” Doran Kennedy, 86, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children and husband on February 7, 2022. She was born June 16, 1935 in Chihuahua, Mexico to Carmen Rojo Doran and William Charles Doran. She had 2 younger brothers, William and John. Her family moved to El Paso, Texas when she was 11. She attended Austin High School. She married Jere Kennedy on February 2, 1955. She had 4 children, William, Russell, Joseph, and Margaret. She went back to college after her youngest child was in school and graduated from Loretto Heights College with a degree in early education. She later earned a master’s degree in special education from Lasley College. She taught second grade for 22 years in the Jefferson County School system. She was beloved by students and coworkers as well. She was awarded the Colorado Teach of the Year Award in 1990. After retiring from teaching elementary school, she started a program teaching English as a second language to adults in Jefferson County, securing a grant and developing a curriculum for the program. She was generous with her time and treasure. She helped start a summer day camp for handicapped children in El Paso, Texas. She volunteered for many years at Samaritan House, a homeless shelter in downtown Denver. She had been active in the Girls and Boys clubs. She also helped many people in small, individual ways, including giving money and clothing to people in need. She tutored many immigrants and helped them attain citizenship. She was blessed with 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was an amazing grandmother who took time to care for, teach, and mentor her grandchildren. She and her husband had a cabin in Grand Lake, Colorado and her grandchildren spent many summer days there enjoying time with their grandparents. They took their grandchildren on many trips, later dubbed “mystery trips” because the destination was kept secret until the trip commenced. The trips were filled with learning and fun and provided a priceless opportunity for bonding between grandparents and grandchildren. In her late 70s she wrote and published a book about these mystery trips, “Great Times with Grandkids” is both a memoir and legacy that she gave to her children, grandchildren, and many, many others who have enjoyed her book and took inspiration from it for travel with their own grandchildren. Preceded in death by her son, Joe Kennedy. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jere Kennedy; children, Bill (Jeanine) of Lakewood, Russ (Lori) of Broomfield, Maggie (Phil) of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Drew (Courtney), Tyler (Monica), and Ethan Kennedy, and Sam (Michaela), Max, and Grace Hagan; great-grandchild, Colibri Kennedy. Funeral will be at 11:00 am, Friday, June 24, 2022, at St. Jude Catholic Church, Lakewood, CO, where she was a member for 50 years. Private burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to give a monetary gift or do an act of service for the organization of your choice, and to think of and remember Pat as you do.