Marie M. (McClure) Kennard

Marie M. Kennard, 91, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at her home.

She was born February 18, 1931 in Passaic, NJ to the late Ernest J. and Florence (Price) McClure.

Marie grew up in Valley Stream, NY.  She graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 1948 as valedictorian of her class of over 400.  Marie was a Phi Beta Kappa at Duke University and graduated in 1952 with a B.S. in Biology and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority.  Upon graduation, she was a research assistant at Sloan Kettering in New York City from 1952-1954.

Marie married the love of her life, Francis Kennard, on February 13, 1954 in Valley Stream, NY.  Together, they celebrated 68 years of marriage.  He survives along with their children: David (Fiona) Kennard of Silverthorne, CO, Wayne (Mary) Kennard of Ankeny, IA and Dan (Leslie) Kennard of Grand Rapids, MI and four grandchildren: Max, Jake, Lexington and Lily Kennard.

After marriage she worked in research for Atlas Powder in Wilmington, DE.  She moved to Elkhart in 1968 and worked several seasons as a tax preparer for Beneficial Finance, H & R Block and St. Joseph Valley Bank.  She served on the board of The League of Women Voters and the Elkhart YWCA.  She was a member of the Diabetic Society and a volunteer at the Salvation Army.  Marie was also a 50-year member of Elcona Country Club in Elkhart and a member of “The Club Pelican Bay” in Naples, FL

Marie was a devoted and adored wife, mother and grandmother.  She loved to play tennis, golf and cheer on her Duke Blue Devils basketball team.  She also volunteered as a docent at the Midwest Museum of American Art.  She was a voracious reader her entire life.  Her love of reading was hampered in her final two years due to the onset of diabetic retinopathy that began to limit her eyesight.  While Marie diligently managed her type-1 diabetic insulin-dependency for over 50 years, she did not let the condition limit her participation in group activities, sports, volunteering or trips around the world.

No services will be held at this time.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions in memory of Marie may be made to the Midwest Museum of American Art 429 S. Main St. Elkhart, IN 46516 or by visiting www.midwestmuseum.org/donate.

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