Phyllis Irene Kennedy (nee Henderson)

It is with great sadness that the family of Phyllis Irene Kennedy (nee Henderson) announce her sudden passing after a brief illness on August 25, 2025 at the age of 86.

Phyllis was born at Oak Lake Island Resort to Alex and Mabel (Fuller) Henderson on November 6, 1938. She attended Sandhurst and Lansdowne schools in her formative years. She was taught a strong work ethic from a young age and worked hard on the family farm and resort with her sisters and brothers. She later moved to Brandon to attend Brandon Collegiate Institute where she met the love of her life Murray Kennedy. They married in 1963 and welcomed daughter Cindy in 1970 and son James in 1974.

Together Phyllis and Murray raised their family in Brandon where Phyllis attended nearly all of her children’s sports/activities. While in Brandon, Phyllis worked as a typist clerk for Wawanesa Insurance, Donovan Stone during tax season, the Children’s Aid Society, home care services, and volunteered extensively in local community organizations.

Summers were spent at the cabin in Oak Lake, beside the house she grew up in, and later Minnedosa Lake. In 1999, Phyllis and Murray moved to Calgary to be closer to their son James. She loved gardening, knitting, dancing, and spending time with friends. Later in life she became a grandmother and loved every minute she could spend with her granddaughter Olive (Ollie) Kennedy.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Alex and Mabel Henderson; her sisters Margaret, Jessie, Alice and Dorothy; her brothers John and Bill; her in-laws Earl and Olive Kennedy; her sisters-in-law Margaret and Bareth Kennedy; and her brothers-in-law Joseph Stack, Raymond and Russell Kennedy.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 62 years Murray of Calgary; daughter Cindy (Deb) of Comox, British Columbia; son James (Melissa) and granddaughter Olive of Calgary.

A private service will be held at a later date in Brandon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.