SOMERSET – Elise M. (Soares) Kennedy, age 49 of Somerset, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. Born in Fall River, she was the wife of the late Bruce Kennedy and the daughter of Antone Soares Jr. and Veronica D. (Rebello) Soares.
Elise was a graduate of Somerset High School class of 1986 and continued her education obtaining two Associate Degrees at Bristol Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Services from Providence College. She had worked for Massachusetts Rehabilitative Service as a Social Services Counselor and had worked and volunteered at STARR where she also served on the Board of Directors.
Elise was also a volunteer for the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Homeless Ministry, New Bedford, and for the Taunton Independent Baseball League for which her son played baseball for many years. She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church, Somerset. Spending time with her son and watching him participate in many sports was her greatest joy. Spending time at the beach and by the ocean was her passion. She also had a huge heart for animals and would rescue any animal that needed help and taking in many of them as her own pets.
In addition to her parents, she leaves her greatest accomplishment, her beloved son: Colby J. Kennedy of Somerset; her two sisters: Claudia Beckner of Lawton, OK and Dolores Berge of Somerset. She was the beloved Godmother of her niece, Krista Gracia and also leaves behind two nephews, Ryan Berge and Dominic Gracia. She was also a great-aunt to 2 nieces and a nephew.
The family will welcome guests on Tuesday, February 6th, from 6 - 8 pm at Roger's Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main Street, Fall River, MA. A mass to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, February 7th at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Church, 306 South Street, Somerset, to which friends and relatives are invited.
Donations in her memory can be made to Mobile Ministries, c/o St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 884 Kempton St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or to Anchor Animal Hospital, 750 State Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747
Arrangements are under the entrusted care of the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 1521 N. Main Street, Fall River.