Loretta E. Kennedy

Middleburgh: Loretta E. Kennedy, 83, of Bouck Road, died peacefully, Sunday, December 25, 2016 at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Loretta was born in Schoharie on November 9, 1933 a daughter of Grace (Stalker) and Levi Engle.

Loretta graduated from Schoharie Central School and worked various jobs before opening Kennedy's Market, on Main Street in Middleburgh, in 1958. Her strong work ethic and cheerful disposition saw the Market thrive until 1981 when it was changed into restaurant form and became Mrs. K's Kitchen.

Loretta became affectionately known as Mrs. K to generations of patrons. People came in as customers and left as members on Mrs. K's enormous extended family.
She was a pillar of the Middleburgh community for many years, involved with the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the former Eastern Star and Business and Professional Women's organizations. Mrs. K also started the annual Fall Festival in Middleburgh and enjoyed watching her community's involvment each year.

Following the devastation from Hurricane Irene in 2011, Mrs. K not only helped rebuild her own business, but also the spirits of others and was personally awarded the title "Mother of Middleburgh," by Governor Cuomo.

Mr's K enjoyed going to the casino, a good cocktail hour and spending time with her family. Her true passion was hard work and taking good care of her customers. Her loving smile and generous spirit will live on in the hearts and memories of all the people that walked through her door.

Loretta was predeceased by her husband: William J. Kennedy, son: Roger Kennedy and her 7 siblings.

She is survived by her daughter: Patricia (Mark) Wainwright of Middleburgh; son: Duane Kennedy of Middleburgh; companion: Bill Winegard of Middleburgh; granddaughters: Melissa (John) Diaz of Middleburgh, Heather Kennedy (Ken Pleickhardt) of Cobleskill, Angela (Ben) Lawyer of Middleburgh, Courtney (Jon) Mickles of Middleburgh; grandsons: Daniel Kennedy and Ian Kennedy of Florida; great-grandchildren: Laine, Triston, Alyssa, Benjamin, Brooke.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00PM on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River Street, Middleburgh, NY. Rev. Carol Coltrain of the Huntersland United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Middleburgh Cemetery. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation from 11:00AM-1:00PM Thursday, prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Middleburgh Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 778, Middleburgh, NY 12122 or Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 817, Middleburgh, NY 12122

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