Mary Jane Kennedy O'Neill
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Obituary for Mary Jane Kennedy O'Neill

Mary Jane Kennedy  O'Neill
O'NEILL,
Mary Jane Kennedy, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Jane’s life began on 2/23/35. She was a proud girl from the West End who attended Christ the King School where she made lifelong friendships. She graduated from Mercy Academy in 1953. On May 12, 1962, she married the love of her life, Vince. Together they raised three daughters, and spent many sunny days at Hilton Head and celebrated 4th of July's at Kenlake with the Murphy clan. She loved fall days at Keeneland and spent many beautiful Derby days proudly singing My Old Kentucky Home. She cherished her Irish heritage which she passed on to her daughters and grandchildren. Her quintessential Southern charm made everyone she met feel special.
A forty-three year breast cancer survivor, she became a lifelong advocate for countless women who were newly diagnosed. In the 70’s and 80’s she served as KY state chairperson for Reach to Recovery. She showed many women that breast cancer is survivable.
Many remember Jane from Dolfinger’s and Animal Crackers Children’s Store. “Your Mom is so nice!” was a phrase her daughters often heard as she helped so many brides and new Moms. She truly enjoyed helping others. She was a member of Hurstbourne Country Club, KY Thoroughbred Owners Inc., Queen’s Daughters, and a volunteer at Catholic Charities.
Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Helen Murphy Kennedy, and her daughter, Katie O’Neill Mulvihill.
Those left to honor Jane’s memory are her loving husband of 54 years, Vince; daughters, Bridget Stukenborg (Andrew) and Nancy Meiers (Dr. Nicholas); six cherished grandchildren: Anna Kate and Mary Claire Stukenborg, and Clay, Vince, Teddy, and Ella Meiers; brother, Jack Kennedy; niece, Shawnna; special family friend, Jonna Timmering; Murphy and O’Neill cousins; and many, many friends.
Her funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 508 Breckenridge Ln. with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Down Syndrome of Louisville or the Flaget Scholarship Fund.

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