Marcelline Ann Kennedy

Marcelline A. Kennedy (nee Logan), 88, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born in Warren, Ohio on October 1, 1936, she was the eldest daughter of the late Ray and Marguerite Logan. She is preceded in death by her much-loved husband of 64 years, James, and is survived by her sister, Maureen Samuelson of Warren, Ohio; her brother Thomas (Lynda) of Austintown, Ohio; and her children Erin (John Fitzharris) of Phoenix; Kevin (Julie) of Minneapolis; Noreen (Bill Moore) of Lebanon; Sean (Tonya) of Nashville; Colleen of Dayton; and Brian (Sharon) of Marysville. She is also survived by her “perfect” grandchildren Laurel, Logan (Taylor), Shea (Sawyer), Brianna (Jay), Murphy (Nate), Shannon, Jack, Bridget, Kathleen (Caitlan), Connor and Vida (Manon), as well as her two “even more perfect” great grandchildren, Oren and Lexi.

Marcelline had an almost superhuman capacity to love and make people feel accepted exactly the way God created them to be. She was humble, kind and thoughtful. She had a sixth sense about when people needed a hug or a word of encouragement. There was always room at her dinner table, and there was often a kid from the neighborhood hanging around at dinner time. Her bird feeders were always full, and she kept dog beds and toys in her home for family pets. When you left her home after a visit, she stood in the driveway, rain or shine, and waved until she couldn’t see you anymore. Any important event in her family’s life she kept track of in her calendar or as she called it, “her bible.” She had a gentle presence that magically communicated she was ready and willing to listen and prop you up as long as you needed to be propped up. She was gentle…until someone hurt one of her kids, then she was a fierce mama bear. She went to the mat for each of her kids at some point in time. More than most, she understood the power of love to transform people.

A woman of strong faith, Marcelline was a long-time member of the St. Leonard Faith Community and together with her husband, Jim, often volunteered when the church served in the community. For 20-plus years she was part of a book club and loved her “book club sisters” dearly.

Services for Marcelline will be on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Leonard, 8100 Clyo Road, Centerville. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the services. The family is hosting a luncheon after the service (details to be announced at the service}, and anyone who loved Marcelline is welcome to join. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley (cssmv.org) or Hospice of Dayton (ohioshospice.org/Dayton).