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Beloved Albuquerque Artist and Mother, Helen Kennedy, died on June 28, 1999 after a brief illness. She was the daughter of Bessie and E. E. Bliss, 3rd generation Albuquerque pioneers. Bliss homesteaded on the East Mesa in the early 1900's and started Albuquerque's first tire business in the downtown Bliss Building that still exists at 5th and Central. Helen attended Sandia School for Girls and studied painting and sculpture at the University of New Mexico, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Helen was briefly married to Joe Adams, who was declared an MIA during WWII. Later, she met and married James L. Kennedy, pilot, stationed here at Kirtland AFB. Together they moved to Illinois to raise a family and run the Kennedy family Tavern at Druce Lake. In 1960 the Kennedy's and their four children moved back to NM. After her divorce in 1966 Helen spent a significant part of her life traveling in Europe and spending the winter months in Mexico and Central America. Helen lived simply and would often pay for her lodging with portraits she had done of her hosts in the small villages she loved. She was also an avid gardener and reader. Her sense of adventure was apparent in all aspects of her life. Her innovative recipes have appeared in national publications, including Sunset Magazine. She was an active member of the Rainbow Artists, a multi-cultural collective of local artists. Helen always considered her greatest accomplishment to be her family. She is survived by her four children and 15 grandchildren; oldest son, Mike Kennedy, MD is an Allergist in Seattle; Tim Kennedy is a successful businessman in Florida, and Tom is a sculptor in Brunswick Maine. Daughter, Kathy is a Registered Nurse in San Francisco. Helen is also survived by her sister, Jane Cooper who lives in Denver, CO. Memorial Services will be held at the Alumni Chapel at UNM on Sunday June 11, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. Direct Funeral Services, 2919-4th St, NW 343-8008
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