Lillian Joyce Kennett

It's time to go - the universe is waiting. Whenever asked, Lillian Joyce (Story) Kennett said her goal was to live to 100. She just couldn't do it. With a failing heart which survived triple by-pass in 2010, and subsequent diagnoses of osteoporosis and multiple myeloma, Joyce broke her hip at her Albuquerque home where she proudly lived independently. Despite risky yet remarkably successful hip repair surgery on her 87th birthday, her poor heart couldn't provide her the strength to overcome and her body gave out on October 23, 2015 at Anna Kaseman Hospice Unit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Joyce was born October 11, 1928, in the Detroit suburb of Wayne, Michigan, the oldest of four children of William Clyde Story and Lillian Veso Beach; he a grocer and she a dress maker. Clyde and Veso were both of traditional farming stock and possibly the first of their families to migrate to the "city." Joyce is survived by her siblings, William Gene Story of Kansas City, Missouri, Mary Janice Pepin of Bark River, Michigan, Judith Elaine Shankie of Monroe, Michigan; her son, Roger Whitson Kennett, and his wife, Heidi Marie Snow both of Albuquerque. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Norris Whitson Kennett of Mortons Gap, Kentucky, who died January 30, 2010. Joyce was working at a soda fountain next to her father's store when she met Norris. They were married in Wayne in 1948. She also worked as a dental office assistant until Roger was born and again when he went to college. When Norris retired from Ford Motor Company in 1983 they first moved to Phoenix, Arizona and then Albuquerque in 1998 to be near Roger. Joyce enjoyed reading novels, sewing, and keeping up with politics and current events. She always voted. Her sunshine salad and wedding cookies were highly anticipated at holiday gatherings. She was a kind and supportive mother and mother-in-law. She will be sorely missed - but the universe is waiting, it's time to go. Her family thanks all the physicians, nurses and aides of Presbyterian who lovingly cared and rooted for her, particularly Palliative Care Specialist Patricia Herson, CNP, whose guidance and support at the end gave us all great comfort. Cremation has taken place. Joyce will be honored and placed to rest with Norris at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A Memorial Visitation will be Saturday, November 14, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.