Wanda Colleen Kennedy

Wanda Colleen Kennedy passed peacefully in the early morning hours of August 24, 2023 at the age of 97. Born March 21, 1926 in Oakland, CA, Wanda was a resident of Fresno since the 1950's. This sweet, unassuming great-grandmother lived a life that could fill a few novels. She was a celebrated steel guitarist, piano instructor, real estate agent for a brief time, honorary Captain in the United States Army having performed in Korea during the USO tour, and unwitting business owner (as her entrepreneur husband had the habit of signing her name on not a few business documents). She loved talking about her time as a teenager playing with a 13- piece all- girl band in the bay area, the many musicians she performed with and toured behind including Bob Hope, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and recording The Kennedy Family Hour, a music and variety show that aired on KJEO 47 in the Fresno area that included Bob and Wanda's three children. Wanda was a connoisseur of dark chocolate and black tea (Lipton, and no sugar, EVER), loved traveling, bargain hunting, and crocheting blankets for family in her signature chevron pattern. A chronic and unapologetic consumer of Diet Pepsi, Wanda was an avid long- distance walker well into her 90's, even joining her granddaughters in the Two Cities 5K in 2019. Wanda is preceded in death by her beloved husband Clifton "Bob" Kennedy, and all three children: Ken Kennedy, Cliff Kennedy, and Nancy Kennedy Koch, as well as granddaughter Corrie Kennedy. No stranger to tragedy and loss, Wanda was a model of faith, grace and positivity to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Wanda leaves behind grandchildren Laura Kennedy Moreno, Kim Kennedy Hoff, Kris Kennedy, Sarah Lisitsin, Stephen Koch and Daniel Koch, as well as 13 great- grandchildren and 2 great- great- grandchildren. A Visitation will be held for Wanda on Thursday, September 7th from 4pm-8pm at the Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel, 1588 Lincoln Street in Kingsburg. A Graveside service will follow on Friday, September 8that 10am at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 S. Cornelia Avenue in Fresno. Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Thursday, September 28th at 4pm at 10510 E. Kings Canyon Road North, Sanger, CA 93657, where we will celebrate the impact that this beloved woman has left on all of us. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Wanda Colleen Kennedy

March 21, 1926 - August 24, 2023