Obituary – Diana Kennedy 4th February 1943 – 22nd October 2014

By Rosemary Bailey

This article was published in the December 2014 edition of Soul Search, the Journal of The Sole Society

Dianna Kennedy
Diana Kennedy

Diana joined the Sole Society in 1997 and became Research Co-ordinator for the Sewell surname in 2000 until earlier this year when she resigned due to ill health.
Born in Bexley Heath, Diana worked as a cardiographer in Lambeth hospital and it was there that she met her future husband David. They married in Surbiton in 1964 and had two children, Simon an artist and Mark a musician. She returned to work after having her sons and rose to become the Senior Cardiographer at Kingston Hospital.
Not one to let the grass grow under her feet, she completed a BA honours degree in history and economics as well as a City and Guilds in gardening. She loved gardening, something she inherited from her father. In the evenings she loved working on fine embroideries.
Diana and David enjoyed travelling and as well as extensive travel in Europe they visited Tasmania and New Zealand, Hong King and the USA. An early trip involved the purchase of a motor bike for £25 to tour the north of Scotland.
Diana was a gentle, unassuming person who quietly worked hard for the society and commanded respect from her fellow committee members.
Our sympathies are extended to David, Simon and Mark.