SPRINGFIELD – Patricia A. “Pat” (O’Connell) Kennedy, 81, of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Monday, January 3, 2011. She passed into Eternal Life from Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and her wonderful caregivers. She was born in Springfield on March 17, 1929, a beloved daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Cullinan) O’Connell. She was raised in Springfield, graduated from the High School of Commerce and was a lifelong resident of the city. She retired as a clerk from the Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield in 1991 and had previously worked at the former New England Telephone Company. She was predeceased by her loving son, Edward J. Kennedy who was Called Home on July 23, 2004 and her beloved husband, Thomas F. Kennedy who was Called Home on January 25, 2005. They were married at Saint Michael’s Cathedral on July 31, 1954 and were blessed with 50 years of happiness together. She leaves her loving children, Claire M. Miemiec and her husband, Albert of Springfield, Paul F. Kennedy of Springfield and Kathleen A. Benoit and her husband, Gregg of Utah; her six cherished grandchildren, Shannon Carbray and her husband, Matthew, Amanda Miemiec, Christopher Kennedy, Jaime Flores and her husband, Luis, Jason Benoit and his wife, Denise and Andrew Benoit; her cherished great granddaughter, Annabelle Benoit; her dear sister, Dorothy Moriarty and her husband, David of Springfield; her dear sister-in-law, Barbara J. O’Connell of Enfield, CT; her dear brother-in-law, William Kennedy and his wife, Anne of Springfield and her many dear nephews and nieces. She was also predeceased by her dear brother, Thomas O’Connell and her dear sister, Mary “Joanie” Langlois. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, January 8, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. from the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her burial will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Chapin Chapel on Friday, January 7, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the American Lung Association, 393 Maple Street, Springfield, MA 01105.