In Memory

Marnia Kennon VIEW PROFILE

Obituary of Marnia Kennon

From Santa Fe New Mexican – 05/26/2023

 

MARNIA KENNON (1949 – 2023)


We are grateful to have had Marnia Kennon with us over these many past years.


Marnia was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Ralph and Suzanne (Satterlee) Kennon, and was raised in Altadena, California. She earned her BA at Vassar College in Anthropology, her MA at the University of North Carolina in Anthropology, and her PhD at Indiana State University in Higher Education. She lived with her family in Indianapolis, Indiana, and after retirement, they moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.


Marnia's career was in higher education administration, primarily with the Indiana community college system, where her main focus was providing meaningful career opportunities for the students. Upon her retirement, the State Board of Trustees of Ivy Tech Community College "hereby recognizes and honors Dr. Marnia F. Kennon for her extensive and enduring contributions to the development and success of the College, and by extension, her service to the State of Indiana and all of its citizens."

 

Marnia has left behind her husband Ken Barger, her son Philip Barger, her siblings Randy Kennon, Stacey Kennon Lada, and Celeste Rodgers, and her extended family. Marnia was a blessing to us and to her many friends and colleagues. We enjoyed her caring, humor, and her bright smile. Marnia was liked and respected for her friendly manner and generosity towards others, her intelligence and practical problem-solving skills, and her concern for the greater good in life. She went out of her way for other people and made them feel comfortable and appreciated.


Marnia was an avid reader, had an adventurous spirit, and approached each new challenge with a curious mind and clear goals, achieving new accomplishments at each stage of life. She traveled with her family throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.


Donations to the memory of Marnia Kennon can be made to the American Library Association 21st Century Fund, 225 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601, or online at ec.ala.org/donate.


Thank you, Marnia, for being a part of our lives.


Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations
417 East Rodeo Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 989-7032
riverafamilyfuneralhome.com

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/santafenewmexican/name/marnia-kennon-obituary?id=52045177



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

09/02/23 09:01 AM #1    

Robin Beresford (Garner)

I remember Marnia from HTT.  Her grace, presence, intelligence, and wit, were in evidence way back then in high school.  Wonderful to see where she went in her life.  Such a sad loss.  


09/02/23 10:43 AM #2    

Irith Gottfeld (Harpster)

I was saddened today to hear about Marina's passing. I had known Marina since Burbank Elementary School as both of us gre up in Altadena. We spent weekends taking the bus to shop "downtown " on Colorado Blvd, Easter week on Balboa Island; we were in Brownies and  Girl Scouts and on the Altadena Tournament of Roses Court . She was one friend who had it all; she was smart, kind, beautiful, a wonderful friend and loving daughter and sister to her three siblings. 
she will be missed !


09/03/23 07:35 AM #3    

Alexander Peters

I got to know Marnia through the HTT program (keeping the same group of students together for all 3 years) which involved many committees, plays, group projects, and collaborative homework assignments.  I became friends with her and admired both her brains and her beauty, not necessarily in that order.  She was sharp as a tack, generous with her smile, and gracious in her demeanor.  I was clearly smitten and asked her out early in 11th grade.  With grace and compassion she turned me down.  Like I said, smart gal...dodged a bullet there.  The world is slightly diminished with her passing.

09/03/23 10:13 AM #4    

Margaret Earl (Cooper)

Many of my happiest memories of PHS are associated with Marnia.  I don't remember in which class or activity we met, but it was probably Latin II.  I was always impressed with her intelligence, quick (and sometimes biting) wit, outgoing nature and prankish ideas.  At lunchtime junior year we would often meet in the library to "enliven" the life of the librarian, Mrs Hoylman, (who doubled as our history teacher) by replacing the reference labels in the stacks with notes about Mrs Hoylman that weren't always particularly flattering.  In our senior year she, Nancy Eskijian and I spent two full days at Nancy's house building a Greek sugar temple for Mrs. Thomas, our Latin teacher for all 3 years.  Nerdy as it may sound, this was one of the most fun things I did in high school!  The three of us laughed so hard over the graffiti and other "upgrades" we made to the temple that we were rolling on the floor.  I also remember the Key Club party at the end of senior year at Gary Kendrick's house that she talked me into crashing, and my shock at her accepting a beer from Gary's fridge.  We stayed in touch through the first couple of years of college, despite her being on the East Coast, but then lost contact. In 2017, thanks to Carol Otis, we had a brief flurry of correspondence, but that was the last time there was any communication.  Rest in peace, my old friend. 


go to top 
  Post Comment

 


Click here to see Marnia's last Profile entry.




agape