Elvira (Ellie) Z. Kennedy

Elvira (Ellie) Kennedy, age 90, of Groton passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at UMass Memorial Medical Center following a brief illness. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late Donald H. Kennedy.

Born in Fitchburg on March 22, 1927 she was the daughter of the late Charles G. and Elizabeth M. (Schott) Zink. After graduating from Fitchburg High School, Ellie moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended the School for Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and upon graduating went on to work as a Dental Hygienist for 15 years in private practice and continued working as a Dental Hygentist for the Nashoba Associated Boards of Heath where she would visit each community in the Nashoba District and provide free dental care to school children.

While employed as a Visiting Dental Hygentist in The Massachusetts Dept of Public Health, she furthered her education and earned a degree in Public Health at Quinsigamond C. C. and Framingham State College in 1974 and upon retiring from State Service in 1989, she was recognized by President George H.W. Bush for her many years of contributions for providing free dental care to school children in Massachusetts.

Ellie lived in Lunenburg for 46 years and in 1992 she married her husband Don and moved to Naples, Florida. Ellie had a wonderful zest for life and cherished time spent with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughters. She was also an avid world traveler having visited Aruba, Bermuda, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, South America as well as dozens of other destinations across the United States and Canada.

Ellie will be remembered for her life-long dedication to many community organizations. She served as chairman of the Lunenburg Council on Aging and was the 1st to organize the Senior Bus trips for many members. After moving to Naples, Florida, she became a very active member of the Lion's Club of Naples. Ellie volunteered much of her time serving her church in Naples -as well-as Beverly Hills,Fl-as a member of the "We Care" committee as well as library coordinator. On March 22, 2017, Ellie was given a surprise 90th Birthday party by her family and recognized by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karen Polito for enjoying her retirement and reaching 90 years of age .

She is survived by her sons Randall D. May and his wife Deborah of Ashby and Lance D. May and his wife Donna of Lunenburg, her grandchildren Jennifer L. (May) Vautour and her husband Brian, Martin R. May, Matthew C. May and his wife Veronica, and Heidi Elizabeth May, and four great granddaughters, Magdalena, Clarissa, and Elise May, and Ella May Vautour and her special cat Molly. She was predeceased by her son Blair D. May.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Ellie on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the Badger Funeral Home, 45 School Street, Groton. Her funeral service will follow at 11:00 am.

Donations in her memory may be made to your local Lion's Club.