Sunny J. Kennedy

Sunny J. Kennedy, 50, of Salamanca, NY, started her journey Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Born August 20, 1973 in Olean, NY, she was the daughter of David Kennedy and the late Rhea Kenjockety Kennedy.

She was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and of the Bear Clan. She will be remembered for her graciousness and vivacious attitude with a smile that would light the room.

She was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1991. She also attended the University of Buffalo, studied geography at Southwestern Indian Polytech Institute, at the Central New Mexico Community College, and University of New Mexico, all in Albuquerque, NM.

Sunny had lived in the southwest for several years where she had been employed as a slot supervisor at Isleta Hardrock Casino, Albuquerque, NM. She had recently been employed as a receptionist with the Edelweiss Ski Lodge, Ellicottville, NY, and was a cultural specialist with the Onohsagwe:de’ Cultural Center, Salamanca, NY.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, loved University of Michigan football, playing “rez ball” and will be remembered for her baking, especially her banana bread.

Surviving besides her father are: two sisters, Ann Kennedy, Angela (Sidney Horton) Kennedy; two brothers, Adam Kennedy, Winnecheeyo (Sally) Kennedy; an uncle, Ronald Kenjockety, all of the Allegany Territory; her cats, Chaos and Smokey, formerly known as Tyrone.

She was predeceased by a sister, Frances Kennedy and her longtime companion, Michael “Spike” John.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9pm.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 10am with members of the Coldspring Longhouse officiating.

Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery, Jimersontown, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.