Obituary of Carol (Hermance) Kennedy

Kennedy, Carol J. (Hermance) Saginaw, MI Devoted and beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend ,"Romper Room's" Miss Carol, teacher to hundreds of children, actress, Carol Jean Hermance Kennedy passed away peacefully at the age of 90, December 20,2016 at the Cartwright Hospice Residence. Carol Jean was born in Hudson N.Y. December 5, 1926 to Myron and Thelma Miller Hermance. There she enjoyed a loving family and wonderful life, along with her brother Myron Jr., and sisters Janet and Nancy. After graduation from Hudson High School she traveled by train to attend Hope College, Holland, Michigan. There she met the love of her life, Walter Thomas Michael Kennedy, a former sailor from Hasbrouck Heights N.J. They both graduated and were married August 4, 1948. They remained in Michigan, became teachers, and started their family. Michael John, born in Holland, Kathleen Ann in Fremont, followed by Laura and Kevin in Saginaw. Upon moving to Saginaw, Walter taught and coached at Central Junior High, and, in 1956, Carol became "Miss Carol" on the syndicated television show Romper Room at Channel 57 WKNX. After Romper Room ended, Carol became a beloved Kindergarten teacher at Durand School and Merrill Park Elementary for 30 some years. Carol also an aspiring actress since childhood, her lifetime love of theatre led her to perform in numerous plays at Pit & Balcony Community Theatre. Upon retiring, Carol and Walter moved to Bellaire MI to their cottage/home on Clam Lake. Many happy times were spent there and it became a magical gathering spot for her family. They also wintered in Royal Palm Beach, FL., near daughter Laura Miller and family. Carol and Walter also received their Masters+60 degrees, while raising their children and teaching for Saginaw Public Schools from Michigan State University. Proud MSU graduates. Carol also adored (and they her) her six grandchildren: Adam(Renee)Brush, Erin Brush(Aaron)Kricher, Andrew(Allison)Miller, Sara Miller(De)Bobo, Louisa Kennedy(Phil)Kuljurgis, and Jonathan Kennedy, and 10 great-grandchildren, Kylee and Ella Brush…Emma Kricher…Sean and Anna Kuljurgis …Luke, Aiden, and Collin Miller…Mason and Riley Bobo. They all loved her many childhood stories and shenanigans. Carol is survived by her loving children Michael(Juliana)Kennedy; Portland Oregon, Kathleen (Michael)Brush; Freeland MI., Laura(Timothy)Miller; Royal Palm Beach FL., Kevin Kennedy; Clearwater FL. her grandchildren as stated above; her brother Myron(Alicia)Hermance; Schenectady N.Y., sister Nancy Hermance Grab; Rensselaer N.Y., sister-in-law Gwen Boyce Kennedy Carey; Port St. Lucie FL.….and numerous very loved nieces and nephew. Carol was predeceased by her husband Walter 2008, parents Myron and Thelma Miller Hermance and her beloved sister Janet (Kenneth) Frassa; Long Island N.Y., and her in laws Thomas and Ann Mahon Kennedy Hasbrouck Heights N.J. and brother in law Tommy Kennedy; Port St.Lucie FL. A Memorial Service for Carol will take place at 11:00 AM on January 4, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church 121 S.Harrison St. Saginaw, MI. Friends may visit with family from 9:00 am until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Pit and Balcony Theatre 805 N.Hamilton St. Saginaw, MI. or First Presbyterian Church are suggested. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com All sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.