Karen “Jo” Kennedy

KENNEDY, Karen “Jo,” Aug 22, 1944 – Jul 12, 2012. Born to Emmett and Marie Kennedy in Ishpeming, MI; passed into Eternal Life at her home in Omaha, NE. Jo grew up in Lincoln, NE. She graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School and then attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, from which she graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. She worked as a nationally certified clinical laboratory scientist and received a Specialist in Blood Banking certificate after one year of post-graduate study at the former War Memorial Blood Bank in Minneapolis, MN. She returned to Omaha and worked as Supervisor of the Blood Bank at Immanuel Medical Center and then, from 1975 until her retirement, in various management positions at the American Red Cross, Midwest Region Blood Services. She made many friends along the way and was widely recognized within the organization both locally and nationally for her knowledge and her attention to detail and quality. In her personal life, Jo made many friends and was known for several years for the handmade counted cross-stitch Christmas ornaments which she made for laboratory staff members at the Red Cross each year. Jo also loved animals. She cared for many dogs throughout her life and then, while on vacation in Massachusetts one year, adopted a calico cat that she named “Abby” for Abigail Adams. Abby’s successors who survive her are her beloved “rescue” cats, CeCe and Emma. Jo is survived by her brother, Scott Kennedy (Karyn) of Lincoln, NE; niece, Rachel Ellis; nephews, David and Doug Reiber; cousins and many friends, including her closest friends, Susan Langdon and her cockapoo, Bridget. MEMORIAL SERVICE at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Nebraska Humane Society.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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