Rev. Janet (Sagen) Kennedy

Reverend Jan Kennedy peacefully left her earthly body for her new unencumbered heavenly body just after midnight on Friday, August 12, at the Northwestern Hospital in McHenry, Illinois. Her loving husband of 62 years, Allen Scott Kennedy, was with her and holding her hand at the time she passed.

In addition to her husband Al, Jan is survived by her children, Gregory Scott Kennedy, Suzanne Kennedy Rajchel, and Beth Kennedy (David) Robak; her grandchildren, Nathan and Shannon Rajchel and Mitchell and Jenna Robak; her great granddaughter, Khari Rajchel; and her brother, Bradley (Teresa) Sagen.

The daughter of Harry Sagen and Lorraine Bradley Sagen, Jan was born in Waukegan, IL on December 27, 1938. She and Al met in Spanish class at Waukegan High School, and the high school sweethearts were married on July 9, 1960 following her graduation with a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin. Jan and Al spent two years in Seattle, Washington, where Greg was born, and then returned to Illinois where Suzanne and Beth were born. They took up residence in the then small town of Naperville, IL, where they raised their children through high school.

In her thirties, Jan began pursuing a series of careers and activities where she was able to use her tremendous faith, wisdom, compassion and energy to serve others. She first attended George Williams College and earned a master’s degree in Family Counseling, which she utilized first as a counselor and then as director of the Family Support Center in Aurora, IL, an organization devoted to counseling and helping the victims of child and domestic abuse. Then at the tender age of 50, Jan entered the McCormick Seminary in Chicago, where she earned her master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Theology. Her initial ministerial calling was as Associate Pastor for the First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon, IL. She then became Interim Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Danville, IL, the First Presbyterian Church of Bolingbrook, IL and the Ridgefield Presbyterian Church in Crystal Lake, where she retired. In each of these positions, “Rev. Jan” took on the important and difficult task of ministering to congregations in transition.

While most would call it a good day and ease into retirement at this point, Jan was only getting started. She and Al had built a house in McHenry, IL, and upon retirement Jan turned her efforts towards local community projects. In particular, Jan committed herself to land conservation efforts by joining The Land Conservancy non-profit organization, where she served for a time as Board President and after remained an active member of the board. She was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock and served as a Hospice Chaplain with Journey Care in Woodstock. She volunteered weekly at the Wonder Lake Food Pantry.

Along this incredible life journey, Jan also pursued her hobbies as a bountiful home gardener, avid reader, world traveler (Europe, China, Thailand, Norway, Cuba and Mexico), water skier, snow skier and golfer, while taking time to actively support many of the other causes that she passionately believed in, including her Alma Matar. Her Norwegian heritage and family were very dear to her heart. In 2017, Jan and her family took a second memorable trip to visit her Norwegian relatives and the Sagen family farm outside of Trondheim Norway in the Village of Singsas.

A loving Wife of 62 years, Mother for 60 years, Grandmother for 28 years and Great Grandmother for 1 year, Jan deeply loved and was loved by all. She had a profoundly positive impact on and served as an inspiration to her family and many, many others. Her physical presence will be deeply missed. Her spiritual presence and legacy of lifelong ministry to others remains.

Memorial Visitation will be Friday, September 9 from 10 am until the time of a service at 11am at First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock, 2018 IL-47, Woodstock, IL 60098. Reverend Eric Corbin will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC), an organization very dear to Jan’s heart.