Marcella May Kennedy

October 23, 1923 – March 5, 2025

Marcella May (Bergeron) Kennedy passed away March 5, 2025, at the age of 101.

Marcella was born in Eagle Point, Wisconsin. She was the third of seven children born to Ernestine and John Bergeron. When she was 11 years old Marcella’s mother died in childbirth, which shaped the young girl into a tenacious survivor during the Great Depression.

Marcella traveled to Portland in 1943 at the age of 20 with her brother, Roy, and sister, Maxine, where her brothers, Cyril and Murry, were already settled. In Portland she landed a job as a welder in the Portland Swan Island Shipyards.

Marcella was married to Patrick Kennedy for 27 years and together they raised three daughters. She demonstrated an unconditional commitment to family that she sustained her entire life. Marcella was a talented seamstress. She often created her own patterns and sewed for her children and herself well into her 80’s.

Marcella earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Portland State University. She always expressed how blessed she was to be a classroom teacher and how enriched she was by her students. She loved teaching and was very dedicated to her profession.

A life-long learner, Marcella was an avid reader and traveled extensively. She repeatedly visited every continent except Antarctica. Keeping copious notes throughout her life coupled with a prodigious number of photographs allowed her to fill five encyclopedia-sized books of her life titled, I Remember. One couldn’t ask for a more loyal and devoted friend. Marcella nurtured lasting friendships that spanned her entire life. She demonstrated a zest for life that attracted others to her.

Marcella is survived by her three children; Kathleen (Dick), Rosemary (Paul), and Teresa (Glenn); six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Maxine Haynes Barber.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 A.M., Tuesday, March 18th, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Portland, OR. A rosary will be said before the Funeral Mass to be followed by a reception in the church hall.

To donate in Marcella’s honor, please consider giving to St. Therese Catholic School in Portland.