Lois Kennedy

In 2017 Lois Kennedy wrote: I am mindful of the brevity of life, having placed my faith and confidence in Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, who redeemed my soul through His death upon Calvary’s Cross. He shed blood for my sins assuring me of eternal life. I ask my children and all my family, my living legacy, to remember that everything they have is a trust from God and they are stewards of what He has given to them.
Lois Elaine (Lutton) Kennedy was born in Flint, Michigan, on July 28, 1930, the daughter of Lee and Agnes (Uber) Lutton and went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 12, 2022, in the comfort of her home.
Lois graduated from Flint Central High school in 1949, in 1951 married Arthur Ralph Hanje, and they became the parents of sons:  Charles, Robert, and Marc.  Arthur died in 1980.  Their nearly thirty-year marriage was filled with raising their sons, dedication to their church and its various programs, travel across the United States as well as sites around the Gulf of Mexico, summers boating at Dewart Lake, and an open-door policy of genuine hospitality, with meals and desserts she prepared from her extensive collection of recipes.
It was also during these years that Lois discovered an aptitude for learning anything in which she was interested and adapted quickly to all technology and classes and training that aided her in expressing her artistry and fearless approach to athletic endeavors. She taught herself to play the organ and remained a lifelong music lover.  Although Lois appeared to be quiet and shy, she discovered, with Art’s encouragement, that she was an adventurous extrovert. This trait led her to be a consummate host, always ready with her gift of hospitality that she shared with all who entered her door. Lois enjoyed playing cards, playing practical jokes, and all types of board games. Her dining table was constantly filled with laughter.
Lois’s biggest passion, however, was art and she continued taking lessons until just a few months before her death. Her love of painting began with her mother-in-law and grew into collaborating with various famous artists wherever she lived. She loved community painting and the many friends she made along the way. Lois’s talent for expression extended across all mediums, whether landscapes, animals, or places she had visited.  Her works were featured in various exhibits in Michigan and Florida.
In 1984 Lois married Russel William Kennedy (died 2001).  She welcomed a new set of grandchildren, and like all her grandchildren, she entertained them with overnight and vacation visits teaching them art, games, and taking them for adventures in Florida’s Panhandle.  Lois and Russell divided their time between Noblesville, Indiana, and Panama City Beach, Florida.  She put her mind to designing an ocean front home that would accommodate a houseful of guests at every opportunity. She studied basic architecture and built a home that reflected her life of hospitality.  It was a dream come true for family, friends, and guests. Lois and Russell traveled to Europe, South America, and Alaska.  They also worked together as certified counselors through a Christian counseling center and church in Indianapolis.
Lois was a Christian who appreciated her quiet time each day in prayer with Christ Jesus and writing in her journal. The public side of her Faith included helping to start a church in Noblesville, IN, being actively involved in Women’s Christian Fellowship, and involvement with Billy Graham and Campus Crusade Ministries. In her later years, she was a member of South Church in Lansing. Lois’s faith defined her life and her love of her family. Her life’s fulfillment was in sharing her time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
We, her family, do not feel left behind, we know she is waiting for us to join her, and in each other we will continue to see Lois and have stories to share.  We love her and will cherish the memories.  Her family is her living legacy that because of Jesus Christ we will all share Heaven together. Until we meet again:
Charles and Joyce Hanje and their children: Jessica (Kara); Amanda and William (Grace and Faith); and James and Maria (Arturo and Isaiah).
Robert (died 2021) and Coral Hanje and their children: Brittany & Scott Mathewson (Ella and Theodore); Justin and Alyssa (Jessa, Riley and Eli); and Jonathan and Emily.
Marc Hanje (died 2012) and former wife Paulette and their children: Hannah and Scott (Knox, Daisy, and Nash); Joshua and Sarah; and Zachary and Kiley (Silas, Reid and Lenna).
Sisters-in-Law: Jean Morris-Lutton and Joy House Hanje.
Nieces and nephews: Douglas and Ivy Morarity (Jay, Danielle, Sean), Debra Morarity-Libhart (Shannon, Darren, Kevin) and Neil Libhart, Patty Ann Moriarity-Huddleston and Steve Huddleston (Christa, Laura, David), Thomas Moriarity (Tonya, Christopher, Brandon, Mindy) and Theresa Swancey, Carol Lutton-Rose and David Rose, LeAnne Lutton-Conway (Nicolas, Sean, Damian), and Michael and Gail Lutton (Benjamin and Kimberly).  Cousins: Catherine Ruth Davids and Marie Bernadette Davids (Scott, Patricia, and Michael).
Lois was preceded in death by her husbands, Arthur Ralph Hanje (1980) and Russel William Kennedy (2001); son Robert Hanje (2021); son Marc Hanje (2012); parents Lee and Agnes Lutton; sister Patricia Jane Moriarity-Haldin (2014); brother Lynn David Lutton (2015); beloved parents-in-law; Arthur and Alma Hanje; brother-in-law, Alfred Paul Hanje; sister-in-law Joyce Prescott Hanje (2015); and many other aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins spanning many decades on both the Lutton and Hanje sides of the family.
Friends are encouraged to support Lois’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A private family graveside will take place in September in Indianapolis. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Samaritan’s Purse, Campus Crusade Ministries, or the Chosen Ministry. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.