SUMNER – Lydia A. (Rose) Kennard, 78, beloved wife, mom and Nana, of Main Street Sumner, died at the Auburn Hospice House on Monday, June 14.

She was born in Maplewood, New Jersey on April 22, 1932, the daughter of the late William and Marion (Geer) Rose. She was educated in New Jersey schools, Hofstra College and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing. She had worked as a registered nurse as well as Director of Nursing, in N.J., N.Y. and Maine for over 53 years.

She was a former member of the O.E.S. and a member of the West Sumner Baptist Church, headed by her dear friends, Pastor Larry and Nancy Thurlow. She was well loved and honored by all who knew her.

She was a passionate historian, book lover, gardener, patriot, artist and most of all, deeply loving to and of her most treasured family and God, who welcomed her with open arms and told her “well done, thou good and faithful servant”.

She is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, William Kennard Jr, of Sumner; her son William Kennard III and daughter-in-law, Cathy, and granddaughters, Emma and Megan of Oakland; her daughter, Lydia Neveux and granddaughter, Sarah and grandsons, Nicholas and Joseph Neveux of Bedford, Ma.; her granddaughter, Michelle and husband, Dominick, of Fayette; her brother, Henry Hall Rose of West Palm Beach, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Glass of Sumner and Pamela Kennard of Sayville, N.Y.; and many nieces, nephews and numerous friends, which includes her dearest college-girl friend, Mary Klima of N.Y.

She was predeceased by her sister, Andrea (Rose) Martin and husband, Bill Martin, and sister-in-law, Celina Rose, all of West Palm Beach, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Robert Glass of Sumner and Robert Kennard of Sayville, NY; her dearest cousin, Betty Geer of N.Y./Sumner; and dearest aunt, Madeline Curry of N.Y./Waterville.