Sally Ann (Roney) Kennedy of Boston, MA passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, after a beautiful day spent surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the age of 93.

Sally was the youngest of the late Amanda (Hesse) Roney and John Edward Roney's 3 children. She grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI and as a child she fondly remembered spending summers and weekends at her family's farm in St. Clair, MI with her sister Joan (Maas) and her brother Ed who both predeceased her. The farm was a spectacular gathering place where the large Hesse and Roney families would come together from near and far to visit and celebrate.

Sally went to school at Sacred Heart Academy, Grosse Pointe, where she developed lifelong friendships and discovered her love of music, art, painting, poetry, literature and the French language. One of her fondest childhood memories was painting at the easel when she was in kindergarten, a practice loved and returned to as an adult. Upon graduation, Sally attended Barat College of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest, IL and later completed her degree in English at Boston University.

Sally married and had a family with William Joseph Kennedy III (Bill), a naval officer, also from Grosse Pointe. The couple lived on naval stations throughout the country and eventually settled in Michigan with their young family until their divorce in the early 70's. Sally, a confident, strong woman, moved with her 7 children to the East Coast to begin a new life in Concord, MA. While her children were still young and in school, she worked at local businesses near home to support her family. One of her first part-time jobs was at the Louisa May Alcott House, where she gave tours in keeping with her love of literature. As her youngest child entered middle school, Sally began commuting to Boston University, where she worked during the day in the office of the Dean of the Medical School and took classes at night to complete her undergraduate English degree.

Sally loved the culture and excitement of Boston and moved to Back Bay in 1984, where she enjoyed many mornings walking in her favorite place, The Boston Public Garden. The Public Garden became a sanctuary for her to explore the natural world in the middle of the city, and she loved everything about it. She learned the rich history of the ancient tree plantings and looked forward to each day to observe the seasonal changes in the trees, the flowerbeds, the pond, and the resident animals and birds. She had a brilliant smile and freely shared it with others who, like her, were out enjoying the garden. She loved to spend time talking with and learning from the many people who cared for the garden which brought her so much joy.

Sally was a creative spirit and lifelong learner who enjoyed time spent sketching, writing poetry, painting with watercolors and oil, immersing herself in literature, Bible study, and music. Throughout her life she continued learning and speaking French and began the study of German for a trip to her ancestral home in Nesselwang, Germany. Her love of singing found her a place to share her beautiful voice in the Trinity Church Parish Choir where she sang for many years. As she practiced and honed her craft of oil painting in Boston, her many creations found their way to cherished spots in the homes of her family and friends across the country.

Sally's beautiful smile immediately engaged everyone she shared it with and her kind, chatty nature had her making new friends everywhere she went. Her love of people, culture and adventure initiated many family vacations throughout New England, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, Hawaii, England, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Scotland, and beyond to a skiing holiday that took her down the face of Ajax at Aspen, Colorado in celebration of her 70th birthday. Her most recent excursion was a cross-country drive with her son that she was so thankful to have experienced as it left her in awe of the natural beauty in this country.

The crowning achievement and love of Sally's life was her family. She dearly loved and was exceedingly proud of her 7 children. Throughout her life she would introduce herself and immediately share with her new acquaintance that she had 7 children. Her family grew and she was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who knew her as Bonne Maman.

Sally is survived by her children Tracy Corriveau and her husband Gerard Corriveau (deceased); William J. Kennedy IV; Susan Kennedy; Michael Kennedy; Madaline Kennedy Hale and her husband John Hale; Helen Kennedy Lewis and her husband Matthew Lewis; Sally Carrona and her husband Robert Carrona (deceased); grandchildren Amanda and Henry Lewis, Ryan and Emma Hale, Matthew and Phoebe Carrona, MaryGrace and Liam Kennedy; great-granddaughters Brianna and Briella Hale; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A service celebrating Sally's life will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the main sanctuary of Trinity Church in The City of Boston, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA. Private burial services were held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sally Kennedy's memory to support a tree dedication in the Boston Public Garden by clicking here to donate online or by mail to Friends of the Public Garden, 69 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.