HEATHSVILLE—James Noel “Jim” Kennedy, 85, of Heathsville passed away May 20, 2025, in Olney, Md., surrounded by loving family and friends.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1939 to James P. and Ann M. Kennedy, Jim had four loving sisters, Rose (Bullers), Katherine (Borthwick), Anita (Thoubboron) and Jean (Murphy) and a close cousin, Margie (Hammond).
Jim and his sisters attended St. Teresa of Avila in Brooklyn before attending numerous schools run by the Xaverian Brothers in New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky and Maryland. During his time with the Xaverian order, Jim attended and earned degrees from Catholic University of America and Johns Hopkins University. Subsequently, James became a teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools, serving for nearly 40 years in the English Department of Sherwood High School.
In 1972, Jim met his future wife, Barbara (Wilson) Kennedy, while both were teaching summer school. They were married later that year and recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary.
Jim was an active member and volunteer with numerous organizations in the Columbia, Md., area where he was a long-time resident, including the Parishes of St. Francis of Assisi and St. John’s and the Boy Scouts of America.
In his retirement, to the Northern Neck, Jim was an active volunteer with numerous community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the local food bank.
Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara (Wilson) Kennedy; children, Anne Kennedy, James Kennedy and his wife, Lauren, and Kathleen Smart and her husband, Mark; and grandchildren, Peter, Thomas, Declan, Mary and Andrew.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
A Catholic funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2900 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Olney, Maryland 20832. A graveside service will be held in Kilmarnock in early June.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gleamers and Blenders Community Service Center Inc. of Reedville, where Jim was an active volunteer supporting their community food bank.
