Our School

MRS. BERTHA KENNEDY
March 11, 1909 – June 28, 2004

Mary Bertha Kennedy (Brennand) was born in Lancashire, England on March 11, 1909 and came to Canada in 1921. She attended St. Francis Elementary School in Edmonton and completed her high school education at St. Mary's. Mrs. Kennedy then enrolled at Normal School in Calgary during the 1926 - 1927 term.

Her first teaching position was in Strome, Alberta. From there she went on to teach in Bruce, Guilbault, St. Albert, Volmer, and Dunvegan Yards. During those years she taught grades 1 – 9, often in a one-room schoolhouse.

In 1935, she married Andrew Kennedy and moved to St. Albert in 1938. In 1940, the Kennedys moved to a farm east of St. Albert, which is the present site of the Sturgeon Valley Golf Course. In 1953, Bertha began teaching in St. Albert in the old brick school. In 1957, the Kennedys sold the farm and moved back to St. Albert. Since 1957, Bertha taught in Mission Park, Father Jan and Albert Lacombe schools until her retirement in 1974.

Over the years, Bertha Kennedy was deeply committed and involved in many aspects of community life. Her choirs and music programs contributed much to the school and cultural life in St. Albert. We were very privileged to have had Mrs. Kennedy visit our school on many occasions, especially for our school celebrations.

We have fond memories of Mrs. Kennedy and feel privileged to be involved in a school named after such an inspiring Pioneer.

Mrs. Kennedy passed away on June 28th, 2004, at the age of 95.  May she rest in peace in God's loving arms.