Joan Kennedy

Joan passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday after a brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents John (Jack) Kennedy and Regina (Jean) Kennedy (nee Doyle). Joan is survived by her devoted daughter, Stephanie Tishma O’Shea (Patrick), “grands” Declan, Niamh and Daniel and former husband Daniel Tishma. She will be missed by her brother Michael Kennedy (Myra) and sisters Lynne Kennedy Mullen (Sean) and Susan Kennedy Feeney (Eamonn). Joan is also survived by many fond aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends, including her ‘adopted’ children who lovingly referred to her as “Mama Joan.” A fourthgeneration San Franciscan, Joan was a proud resident of the Sunset District. She attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, Presentation High School, Mercy High School and City College of San Francisco. She worked in the restaurant & bar industry for over thirty years. Joan’s passion was her love of friends and family, especially her adored grandchildren who in turn loved their “Nana.” A private ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13th followed by a celebration of life fulfilling Joan’s wish for “a big going-away party.” All are invited to the Irish Cultural Center (2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco) at 12 Noon to share memories and a toast to Joan. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Anastassiou, Dr. Melissa Goebel and the amazing care provided by CPMC (especially the nurses) in her final days. Ramble on, Mom. We love you forever.

John D. Leslie was born in Alberta, Canada on January 4, 1918. His family lived in various parts of Canada but he considered Vancouver, British Columbia home. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and thus began a lifelong career in engineering. He culminated his formal education with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from McGill University in Montreal. By this time he had married Patricia Cumming and they had a daughter, Joanne. Soon after the end of WW II the family moved to New Jersey where John began his professional career as an engineer working for Standard Oil. There he and Patricia had two more children, Kathleen and Ian. In 1951 the family moved to Walnut Creek, California and then on to neighboring Lafayette. In 1957 they all moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for three years where John practiced and taught petroleum processing. In 1966 John and his second wife, Lee Ashton, moved to London, England with Lee’s two children. In London, John worked for the Bechtel Corporation and traveled extensively. In 1974 he and Lee returned to Lafayette. He worked for Bechtel a while longer before seeking other employment in the oil refining industry.

In 1987 John moved to Bellingham, Washington with his third wife Paula Destowet, where he worked for Anvil Corporation. He and Paula returned to California where they bought a home in Pittsburg. There they enjoyed friendships with many of the folks that lived in Delta Hawaii. John remained at Delta Hawaii after Paula’s death until age compelled him to move to TreVista Senior living in Concord. He was a resident of TreVista for the last year of his life. After 104 years he died quickly and easily on April 18, 2022 in the presence of a caring young woman on the Trevista staff. We are grateful. He will be missed by his three children, six grandchildren, many great grandchildren and extended family.