Gladys Buck Kennedy, age 87, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on April 18, 2022 at her home at Silver Maples of Chelsea. She was born on September 20, 1934 in Maybee, MI to Journey and Kathleen (Caddy) Brabant.
Gladys graduated from Milan High School in 1953. She married Carroll H. Buck, on October 12, 1954. After several moves they made Chelsea their permanent home in 1969. Carroll preceded her in death in 1992. In 2009, she married her long-time family friend, John L. Kennedy, and they enjoyed eight years together until he passed in 2017.
Gladys was one that was always busy and full of life. Spending time with her family, traveling, sewing, shopping, and planning events were her favorite pastimes. She was a passionate caretaker, giver, worker, and leader. She began her career as a nurse at the old St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor in 1954 and ended her nursing career as a Hospice Nurse. Yet, the center of her life was always her faith and her family. In the early 1970's members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not have a building in Chelsea to hold meetings. Gladys and Carroll graciously opened their home for holding church meetings. She served the Lord in many ways and remained active in the church throughout her life.
She was blessed with a giving heart and a passion for serving others, always seeing their needs and lifting them up. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter, from bridesmaids dresses to baby quilts, she blessed many with her gifts.
Gladys was immersed in the Chelsea community from early on. If her daughters or grandchildren were involved, Gladys was sewing dance costumes or cheering from the sidelines. She was instrumental in starting the Special Olympics in Chelsea Schools. She was active in the Chelsea Community Fair and was instrumental in starting the notorious Elephant Ear Wagon, as well as volunteering for over 20 years. She served on the Faith in Action Board for 25 years, serving as President for two of those years. After she retired from her nursing career, she worked full time for the Mitchell family at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge from 1995-2003. Gladys was active in the Chelsea Senior Center for many years, where she made many friends and enjoyed many trips with the Travel Trip Club. She served as President of the Chelsea Senior Center and was voted Senior Citizen of the Year.
In her later years, she moved to Silver Maples of Chelsea, where she seamlessly adopted her role on the Welcoming Committee, making those around her feel loved and welcomed. Gladys will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Kris (Steve) Bergman of Chelsea, and son-in-law, Michael Borden; seven grandchildren: Rob (Jodi) Bergman of Texas, Eric Bergman of Dundee, Amy (Matt) Davis of Grass Lake, Shawn (Sarah) Bergman of Jackson, Laura (Brian) Stouffer of Pinckney, Sarah Borden of Chelsea, and Brian (Kim Roberts) Borden of Troy; 14 great-grandchildren, Halee, Nathan and Nolan Bergman, Drew Bergman, Lincoln and Olivia Davis, Bristol Bergman, Conor Fitzimmons, Audrey Borden, Connor, Madeline and Mya Stouffer and Paxton and Chance Borden; two brothers, Samuel (Barb) Brabant of Ypsilanti, and Milton (Patti) Brabant of Arizona and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, Carroll Buck and John Kennedy, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Stouffer in 2008, and her daughter, Kathy Borden in 2019.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1330 N. Freer Rd., Chelsea. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home; also at church on Thursday from 10-11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chelsea Senior Center.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
