10 May Farewell to a Faithful Friend
Farewell to a Faithful Friend
by Cheryl Boden
A special friend to St. Stephen’s Academy, Mrs. Shirley Kennedy, went home to the Lord last weekend at age 97. Few in our school community will have known her, but she played a humble but important part in our beginning.
Mrs. Kennedy, a member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, was 79 years old when our school began, and she came to us offering to help in any way. During that first year, when two small classes met in the corners of Evergreen’s new sanctuary, Shirley read with young students and gave her time to those who needed extra help. Calm, soft-spoken, and with grandmotherly wisdom, she was able to connect with our wiggly young learners. In those early days, Shirley’s interest in our school and her steady help were a wonderful encouragement to us.
Shirley’s other contribution to St. Stephen’s was largely unseen, and that was her faithful prayers for us over many years. She understood that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Perhaps in part because of Shirley’s prayers, we have been reminded of that constantly over the years.
You can see Mrs. Kennedy in the little snapshot of the 2000-2001 staff and students in the entry of the North Campus building. She is standing in the back next to Pastor Lewis, quietly occupying a place of service to us. Her part in our founding was greater than she knew, and we are grateful for our friend.