Susan Kennedy, a worldly woman of style and substance, died on Monday, December 8, 2025, following a brief illness.

Born on August 26, 1943 in New York City, she was the oldest child of Nancy C. and Daniel G. Kennedy. She grew up in Rochester, NY and attended Our Lady of Mercy High School before graduating from Manhattanville College. After a brief stint in advertising, she joined Pan American World Airways and enjoyed four years traveling the globe as a flight attendant before moving into management, ascending to the position of Director of US Tour and Charter Marketing. Her family members always looked forward to Christmas, when Susan's gifts ranged from camel saddle chairs to yak fur-lined coats. After landing on every continent except Antarctica, she moved into ground management positions in Houston, then London. In 1987, she settled in New York, where she held various HR positions at Brooklyn Catholic Child Welfare; the New York Academy of Sciences; and amfAR, the American Foundation for Aids Research.

Her Brooklyn apartment became base camp for many family visits over the years, and she delighted in playing "Auntie Mame," squiring her niece and nephews to Broadway shows and teaching them the art of subway navigation. She was an accomplished snow-skier and once co-authored a musical play about ski culture titled, "The Fine Art of Falling."

In 2008, Susan relocated to Chattanooga to be closer to her two brothers and three nephews and fulfilled the wish of many New Yorkers: to own a car and a garage. She relished the warm days lounging with her cats overlooking her backyard pond at Heritage Landing.

Susan is survived by her brothers, Dan and Jim Kennedy and his wife, Barbara; her sister, Mimi Kennedy Dilg and her husband, Larry; as well as nephews, Dan (Kelly), Jake, and Kristopher Kennedy; Cisco Dilg and his wife Mayuko; niece Molly Dilg; and four grandnephews.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Amy Boulware, Dub Ellis and A.J. Powers, as well as the caring staff at Gentiva Hospice and Guiding Grace Personal Care Home for providing comfort in Susan's final days.

Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Susan's memory to the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society, or the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 531-3975.