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In memory of

Alva Jean Kennedy

Granite Bay, CA

December 25, 1936 - January 13, 2020

Dec 25, 1936 - Jan 13, 2020

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Alva Jean McCarty Clark Kennedy

Alva Jean McCarty was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on December 25, 1936. Alva passed away January 13, 2020 in Citrus Heights, CA, at the age of 83. Alva was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Clark, father Frank McCarty, Stepfather, John Clark, sister Charlotte Ann McCarty, and a son, James Kennedy. She is survived by her sons David Kennedy, John Kennedy (Kati); siblings Frank Clark (Fran), Mary Kay Jay (Gerald), John Clark (Vicki), and Carolyn Loder (Dave); grandchildren: Simon, Meda, and Jerimie; great-grandchildren: Ezra and Adeline; numerous nieces and nephews; and many long-time friends. She will be deeply missed by all.

Alva graduated from Orosi Union High School in Orosi, CA in 1955. She married the late Dave Kennedy in 1958. She served as Administrative Assistant for the City of Gonzales CA in 1978 and was promoted to Deputy City Clerk in 1982 and served in that capacity until 1990. She had a long involvement in the Lions Club and served as President in the Salinas Valley from 1989-1990.

Alva worked at Blue Shield of CA and retired in 2010 after 17 years. She was a fierce supporter and speaker for multiple groups as an advocate for those with HIV/AIDS in Sacramento and the surrounding communities for many years. She was dubbed "Crew Mom" for many Aids Rides until a bad back and knees forced her to retire that position.

She was an avid knitter and made prayer shawls, chemo caps, and preemie caps for many infirm, and scarves and hats for the homeless. She was very devoted and involved in several Trinity Episcopal and Faith Churches in the Sacramento area and was a supportive voice for the LGBTQ community even after her retirement as "Crew Mom."

Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95816. Contributions may be made in her name to Sutter Care at Home/Hospice (3001 Lava Ridge Ct, Ste 330B, Roseville CA 95661), or the San Francisco Aids Foundation (1035 Market St #400, San Francisco CA 94103), or The Cares Foundation (1500 21st Street, Sacramento CA 95811).

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