Obituary of Barbara Ann Kennedy

Barbara Ann Kennedy, 94, New Glasgow, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by her family.

Born in New Glasgow, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Esther Ann (Tate) Powell. Barbara married her husband Tom in 1950, together they embraced life, raising seven children.  Barbara was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, New Glasgow. She was in her 70^th year of service with the Catholic Women’s League, where she had served several terms as president. Barbara operated Barbara’s Invisible Reweaving, receiving articles of clothing from all over Nova Scotia for repair for many decades. Later, she was employed as a contractor with Canada Post. She fully supported Tom’s military career with the Nova Scotia Highlanders (North), acting many times as his chief caterer.

In earlier years, Barbara was active in her community: helping to create the Brown Street School library, president of the Home and School Association, a Brownie and Guide Leader, volunteer with the Aberdeen Hospital gift shop, a Fraser Holmes Pipe Band supporter, operated the funnel cake and curly fries booth with Tom at local summer festivals. She enjoyed skating with her racers, playing 45’s, reading, crafting, knitting dish cloths for her children and grandchildren, doing jigsaw puzzles, car trips to Five Islands for clams and orange pineapple ice cream cones. Barbara enjoyed baking with her daughter, Dawn, teaching her the skills of her special scotch cookies. Her family will forever remember her homemade chocolate birthday cakes with boiled icing that each received on their birthdays.

Upon retirement, she and Tom became snowbirds, purchasing a manufactured home in St. Cloud, Florida, where they spent 17 enjoyable winters. She and Tom enjoyed hosting the Sugar Mill Park New Years Levee’s. Throughout her life, Barbara enjoyed many wonderful trips with family and friends. She will be remembered for her resiliency, tireless work ethic, kindness, sense of humour, love of family and beautiful soul.  For Barbara, “life has changed; not ended!”

Surviving are her daughters, Carol Ann (Tony) Russell, New Glasgow; Patricia (Dan) Irving, New Glasgow; Bernadette (Terry) Kellock, Stellarton; Dawn Kennedy, Egerton; son, John (Karen) Kennedy, Pine Tree; grandchildren, Jerry, Kathy, Kirk, Kimberley, Petra, Desiree, Jeremy, Erica, Amy, Pamela, Emily, Philip, Trevor, Christopher and Ryan; 25 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, LCol Thomas Irvin “Tom” Kennedy; son, Gary Kennedy; daughter, Linda Cameron; granddaughter, Elysha; son-in-law, John Cameron.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 Friday, February 27 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 28 in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, New Glasgow with Father Godwin Kalu presiding.  Spring interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, New Glasgow.

Barbara's family wish to thank the Pictou County VON, staff of the Aberdeen Hospital, Wound Clinic, Emergency, Intensive Care and Palliative Care Units.  They wish to extend their gratitude to Dr. Brad MacDougall for the care he provied their mom over the years. 

No flowers please. Donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or Canadian Cancer Society.

“Til’ we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”