Paula Marie Kennedy, 49, of Maquon, IL, died at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.
“My mom was the strongest person I’ve ever met, from battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma while keeping up with 3 rambunctious kids, to eventually breaking free from a living hell with an abusive man, to finally entering a career field she genuinely loved and poured her heart and soul into, to opening herself up to love again and gaining a bonus daughter, to getting the devastating news that she had breast cancer, I never once saw her falter. Sure, she was scared- what human wouldn’t be? But she faced all of life’s challenges head on knowing she had the love and support of her village around her.”
Paula was born on April 22nd, 1974 to a wonderful mom and eventual bonus/forever dad; Sandra and Michael Rath. Being the only child, she spent most of her childhood with close cousins and friends down the street in Galesburg, IL. She was a rambunctious teenager full of laughter and life. She was something of an old soul, always full of advice and the patience of a saint. She was never one to shy away from troubling situations but instead would lend a helping hand in whatever way she could. She thrived on helping others and touched many hearts in her short life.
Paula graduated from Carl Sandburg community college with a certificate and license to enter the EMS world. She worked at Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service (GHAS) upon graduating school and shortly after also joined the Maquon Fire Department where she found a new tribe who welcomed her with open arms and where she found her new love and forever partner, Delbert Wells. Delbert introduced her to a healthy relationship full of adventures and traveling, something she’d always wanted to do.
Paula was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in august of 2022, something that we never expected. Not once did this cancer take away her sense of humor or spirit. She fought a long and hard fight with cancer, inevitably the cancer had spread to her brain forcing Paula to gear up for another long but strong fight. Please know, cancer did not kill my mom. My mom kicked cancers ass. She entered heavens gates on June 9th, 2023.
She is survived by parents, Michael and Sandra Rath; partner, Delbert Wells; children: Robert, Tristan, Jensen, and Prim; and 5 grandchildren: Alex, Luna, Hope, Isabella, and Namarii. Her legacy will live on forever.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation. A private scattering of her cremated remains will take place at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be designated at a later date. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
