Lynne Forsberg Kennedy
July 27, 1937 – May 27, 2024
Lynne Forsberg Kennedy, 86, devoted mother, Nana, Great-Nana and friend, passed away on May 27, 2024, with loving family by her side at home in Eastover, NC.
Born July 27, 1937, Lynne was the daughter of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island and traveled to the Pacific Northwest in search of a new life for their family. They moved to the Seattle area, home to a large Scandinavian community, before settling in Blaine, WA, near the Canadian border.
In 1953, Lynne met the love of her life, a young Airman named James Thomas “Tom” Kennedy, who was stationed with the U.S. Air Force at nearby Birch Bay. The couple were married in 1955.
They traveled the world together, residing in Washington state, Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, Misawa AFB in Japan, Riverside AFB in California, Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, Sheppard AFB in Texas and back to Alaska before retiring in 1972 in North Carolina where they made their forever home with four children.
“Even though Mama was a Pacific Northwest girl, she knew Daddy loved fried chicken, and she later learned how to fry chicken better than any natural born Southerner,” recalled her children and grandchildren, who added that Nana set an example with her kindness, commitment to family, church and work ethic.
Lynne was employed by the Civil Service GISA at Fort Bragg from 1972-1992. After Tom retired from the service, he became a pioneering real estate broker in Fayetteville. After they both fully retired, they square danced their way around the United States and visited many fun places. “Of course, they both loved the grandchildren, better than life itself and the kids and grandkids always came first,”.
Lynne was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and their son, John Edward Kennedy.
Survivors include daughter Teri Kennedy Marley (Sandy), son Jeffery Thomas Kennedy AKA Carolina, and daughter Lisa Kennedy Geddie (David). Also, grandchildren Alison Ellison (Brad), Christina Little (James), Amanda Salter (Cam), Logan Geddie Heine (Austin), Tripp Geddie (Natalie), Sarah Kennedy Frost (Adam) and Colton Marley. Great-grandchildren Marley Sahinoglu, Eli Sahinoglu, Holt Ellison, Bowen Ellison, Anabelle Little, Lila Little, Sara Little, Luke Heine, Leighton Heine and Ford Geddie.
The family would like to express special gratitude to Lynne’s best friend, Shirley Carter, for all the fun times and being her forever friend.
The family plans a private service for this fall. Memorials may be made to Salem Methodist Church, 3947 Dunn Road, Eastover, N.C. 28312.
