Judith (Allen) Kennan of East Hartford, Conn. died on March 31 from complications of a stroke and congestive heart failure. She was 82.

She was a resident of Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center in E. Hartford, Conn. over the last several years.

Judy was born on May 9, 1938 in Oak Bluffs, the daughter of the late Albert Allen Jr. and Eileen (Allen) King.

She was a very good basketball and softball player in high school. She met Bob, the preacher’s son, who became the love of her life. After a few years Judy and Bob were married by Arthur Kennan, Bob’s father, the preacher. Together they started a family of six kids and loved them unconditionally.

She taught her kids how to quahog and crab for blue claws, often pointing with a toe where the quahogs were below her foot and having her kids dive for them. This was not low tide.

Eventually the family had to move off-Island due to housing. Their family continued to grow in the later years with grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was an extremely devoted mother and wife. She loved to watch Bob fish and teach the children how to fish. She was a great cook and enjoyed holiday gatherings with family traditions. She grew the best vegetables, especially tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini.

Judy was a true “Island girl.” When her husband died, she returned to the Island for a few days and sat in the water at Tashmoo and gathered quahogs for dinner.

In the last several years Judy became blind but stayed connected through the phone. When it rang, she always picked it right up, no matter who it was.

In later years, she had dementia but if you talked about the Island she became alive and could remember it like it was yesterday, especially stories about her cousin Taffy.

She was known as “Jid” by her siblings, and she loved when her brothers called her that. She was a wonderful big sister and would tell stories to the next generations about how they grew up on the Island and the adventures they had under her supervision.

She was strict but loved by her grandchildren and their friends, earning the title “Mama Duke.”

She is survived by her three children, Robert Kennan Jr. (Nancy Truskoski) of Bristol, Conn., Richard Kennan (Patricia) of Enfield, Conn., and Heidi Rydzewski (Matthew) of Tisbury; daughter-in-law Ellen Kennan, Vernon Conn.; sister Joyce (Ritter) Allen of Falmouth; brother Robert Allen (Maria) of Scituate; and brother-in-law Erland Kennan of Sandwich; along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert Kennan; sons William (Billy) Kennan, Ronald (Ronnie) Kennan, Eric Kennan; sister Karen Berube; brother Albert (Buddy) Allen; grandchildren, Austin Kennan and Michael Kennan.

Judy was and is much loved. With so much loss in her life she marched ahead and is finally with her Bob.

Visitation hours will be held Wednesday, April 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. The service will also be live-streamed beginning at 7 p.m. with a link available on Judy’s obituary page: Leetestevens.com.

Burial will be private and held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.