Anne Marie Kennelly Jan. 11, 1949 - June 8, 2009 Anne Marie Gilles Kennelly, 60, lost her valiant battle with pancreatic cancer surrounded by family and friends at her home in Menlo Park, California. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Raymond Catholic Church at 10 a.m., Friday, June 12, 2009. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Anne was a pioneer. One of six women in her class to graduate from University of San Francisco Law School in 1972, she was the first woman lawyer hired by Hewlett Packard (HP) Corporation. Anne spent 37 years with HP, working as Corporate Counsel, up to a few months before her death. She handled corporate credit structuring and collection and had extensive international legal experience. Her entire legal career was spent at Hewlett Packard. At the same time, Anne was the mother of two beautiful girls, Margaret Anne and Maureen, and loving wife to her husband, Dennis. Together they lived in Palo Alto and then Menlo Park for 31 years. Anne loved to travel, golf, gardening, read voraciously, graciously entertained family and friends. She was a beloved aunt, daughter and sister. She knew more about history than most people and loved a spirited debate. Her faith was very strong and she took great delight in participating in the St. Raymond's choir and as a Lector. In her final days, she was comforted when the choir came to her bedside to perform her favorite songs. Anne is survived by her husband, Dennis and daughters Margaret and Ted Hazelrig of San Francisco and Maureen Kennelly of San Francisco. She is survived by her mother, Margaret Gilles of Palo Alto; Sister Paula and Tom Maurano of Menlo Park, brother Mark and Mary Gilles of Menlo Park, sister Teresa O'Rourke of San Ramon and sister Kathleen Gilles of Menlo Park. Her nieces and nephews, Matthew, Stephen and Megan Maurano; Paul and Francesca Gilles; Todd Yuhanick and Lydia (Yuhanick) Travelsted, as well as her sister-in-law Kathleen Yuhanick. Anne will be remembered for her fi erce intelligence, honesty and grace. Donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or the Religious of the Sacred Heart, Oakwood Community, Menlo Park, California 94025. Arrangements are being handled by Spangler Mortuaries in Menlo Park. For more information contact their website spanglermortuary.com.
Published in San Jose Mercury News on 6/11/2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)

Anne Marie was a dear friend and colleague for three decades. She was the smartest person in the room. She was the most compassionate of friends. She protected HP and me in business. She sustained me as only a friend can do. At times we might disagree about the politics of church and government but on the really important issues, friends, family and society we were usually aligned.She loved her church, her husband, her children her family and her friends.
ReplyDeleteIn her most difficult days she would always be concerned for you and for mankind. No matter her difficulty mankind was always on her mind.
Those who really knew Anne Marie are the lucky ones. We also have a void that we will need to work to fill. Those that did not know her missed as fine a person as there has ever been.