Lorna Craddock Kennedy, 96

After a long and beautiful life, Lorna Craddock Kennedy, 96 years young, died peacefully January 18 in Fleming Island, Florida surrounded by her Florida family. Lorna was born in Ogden, Utah to Lorna (Jones) and Max Woodbury, and was loved and raised by her mother and father, George Craddock, along with her two younger sisters Georgia (Bennion) and Cathy (Schultz) who are both deceased. Lorna grew up in Ogden and graduated from Ogden High School. She attended the University of Utah, affiliating with Kappa Kappa Gamma and the University’s ski team, and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts.  

Lorna then travelled to San Francisco to begin her art career and met and fell in love with William H. Kennedy.  Lorna and Bill were married in Ogden in 1952. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. After their wedding, Lorna and Bill moved to Birmingham, Alabama, Bill’s home. The mountains of Utah soon called them back to Ogden to raise a family of four children: Kathy (Neil Reese), Crad (Francine), Hank (Cindi), and Leigh (Gary Clark) who all survive her, along with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lorna taught many years in the Ogden City Schools and pioneered a televised art teaching program which was used throughout the school district. She then taught art at Mound Fort Junior High, many of her former students crediting her for their love and appreciation of art.

Lorna loved music, and in her younger days was an accomplished pianist. Her home was always filled with music.  She loved the outdoors and nature and translated that love into learning about and creating beautiful artwork and photographs. She was a pillar of the Ogden art community and spent untold hours at the Bertha Eccles Community Art Center.  She helped establish the Center’s “Artist in Residence” program, which brought many well-known world-class artists to Ogden on sabbatical.  Lorna had boundless energy; while raising four children, teaching and promoting art in the community and playing tennis, she still found time to develop lifelong friendships, especially with her Kappa sisters and The Wild Bunch.  She was a member of the Ogden Junior League and was very active in organizations supporting the Utah Symphony and Ballet, The Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and Union Station in Ogden.  She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What she loved most was being in the outdoors – and sunshine – with a camera in her hand and Bill beside her. She loved the annual family trips to Capitol Reef and the time spent at the cabin in Island Park.  Lorna was a unique and gentle soul who was loved and will be missed by many.  A Celebration of Life for Lorna and Bill, who died during Covid, will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite organization which supports the Arts.