Thursday, July 4, 2013

Willie B. Kennedy passes suddenly



Anyone who worked with Mrs. Willie B. Kennedy during her long career might easily have thought she would go on forever.  At age 90, she remained an extraordinarily active and familiar presence in the community. 

According to Dr. Toye Moses, Southeast Sector Community Facility Commission Executive Director, Kennedy was working in her position as President of the Southeast Sector Community Facility Commission right up until her death earlier this week from a heart attack.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mayor Edwin Lee acknowledged Kennedy as a personal source of inspiration, adding that he was "glad she was able to help turn the first shovel of dirt on the project representing the beginning of the first phase of home construction at The Shipyard earlier this week."

In 1981, Kennedy was appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors by Mayor Dianne Feinstein, succeeding Supervisor Ella Hill Hutch. She went on to re-election in 1984, 1988, and 1992.

In 1996, Kennedy resigned from the Board of Supervisors to become the administrative officer for the Public Transition Development Corporation.  She began her service as Commission President at that time.  She was also the longest-serving Board member for the Bayview Opera House.

Photo: Footprints caught up with Mrs. Willie B. Kennedy at the opening of Fresh & Easy in August 2011.  She was a familiar presence in Bayview, and a tireless advocate for her community.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Interesting, she's from Fillmore (Western Addition) -- just like GERALDINE JOHNSON -- yet this blog sounds like she's always been BAYVIEW-HUNTER'S POINT/SOUTHEAST SECTOR! Not hardly! Her part of town refused to work with BVHP folks!

It's what community looks like said...

Thanks for filling us in, Cati!