Lydia Kennedy, 86, died Jan. 2, 2003, in Oak Harbor, following a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 9, 1916, in Turtle Lake, N.D., to Andrew and Madalma Maggie (Schaeffer) Knoblich.

Lydia was raised in North Dakota. In the fall of 1935, her family migrated west, settling in Oak Harbor. She was married to Austin B. “Burl” Kennedy in Mount Vernon on May 25, 1938.

Mrs. Kennedy was a longtime member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and the Charity Circle. She had been an active bowler for several years in Oak Harbor and also was a talented seamstress. Lydia and Burl were avid dancers in Oak Harbor and Skagit County.

Mrs. Kennedy is survived by two sons, Richard Kennedy of Bellevue, and Earl Kennedy of Des Moines; by two brothers, Reinhold Knoblich of Texas and Edwin Knoblich of Tacoma; and by one sister, Viola Smith, also of Tacoma. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Krista Shaver of Lynnwood, Kevin and Kyle Kennedy of Tri-Cities, and Janelle Kennedy of Des Moines; one great-grandson, Austin Kennedy of Tri-Cities; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Christensen of Oak Harbor; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Burl Kennedy and Ed Primley, and by three sisters.

Funeral services for Lydia Kennedy was held Saturday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m., at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Pastor Jerry Buss officiating. Graveside funeral services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow the services in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Funeral arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary is at http://

burley.plan4ever.com.