Lona G. Kennard

Lona G. Kennard, 83 of Webster, N.Y. passed away peacefully at home in the afternoon of September 11, 2025 surrounded by family.

Born in Merrill, N.Y. September 6, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Lester Shutts and Beulah Harris Shutts, along with her 3 sisters Linda, Lorna and Marleen. During her childhood, Lona lived in Chateaugay and Malone N.Y. where she graduated from Franklin Academy in 1960. She worked at the local A&W restaurant as a young woman in Malone.

Later, Lona moved to Rochester N.Y. and worked for The Singer Corporation, Friden Inc and over 15 years at V.N.H Industries. She retired in 1998.

In 1972 she was united in marriage to Danny R. Kennard and spent 49 wonderful years together. They lived most of those years in Webster N.Y. where they raised their daughter. In 2000 Danny and Lona retired and moved to Crane Lakes Community in Port Orange, FL where they lived for 13 years. During those years Lona took up the game of golf, ran the ladies golf league and hit a hole in 1 at Crane Lakes Golf Course. Lona had many close friends at Crane Lakes and enjoyed all the memorable times together in Florida.

In 1978 Lona became a mother to her daughter Michelle, who “brought more joy and happiness” than she could imagine. She poured endless love and care into her miracle baby. Lona adored hosting lively family parties, filling her home with laughter, delicious food and cherished memories that brought everyone closer. She was an incredibly thoughtful person who never forgot a friend’s or family member’s birthday, always sending heartfelt cards and her kindness made her truly one of the greatest people anyone could know.

The pinnacle of her life came when she became a grandmother in 2005 to Cora, her only grandchild. Grandma was a role that brought her immeasurable joy and a profound sense of fulfillment she often described as the greatest blessing she had ever known. She delighted in every moment with Cora, reading stories, baking cookies, attending concerts and spoiling her as much as she could. Becoming “Grandma” illuminated her world like nothing else, and she cherished this chapter as the radiant highlight of her beautiful life.

Lona was predeceased by her husband Danny R. Kennard, her sisters and brother-in-law’s; Linda (Joseph) Johnson, Lorna (Robert) LaCombe, and Marleen (Richard) DuFrane. Brother-in-law’s: Gerald (Barbara) Kennard, Douglas Kennard and Robert (Maureen) Kennard. Nephews: Tyler LaCombe and David Kennard and niece Susan Kennard. Life best friends Linda Withall, William Withall and Gary Grove.

Lona was survived by her daughter, Michelle Putnam and son-in-law Joshua Putnam of Webster, N.Y, who were also her caregivers in her final years. Granddaughter, Cora Putnam; Nieces and Nephews: Mark (Cathy) Kennard; Thomas Kennard; Judith (Donald) Miller; Debra Kennard, Christin Kennard, Larry (Gayle) Johnson, Robert (Laurie) LaCombe, Lee LaCombe, Coby (Meagan) LaCombe, Pamela Dufrane Thistle, Rick Dufrane and Kelli-Jo Dufrane God-daughter Jennifer (Ted) Brazener; Long time family friends James Withall, Margaret Buckel, Patricia Withall, Kristin (Andrew Campbell) Withall, Cheryl Hornig, and Jeff (Heather) Withall, Lois Putnam; grand-doggy Dixie and countless special friends that Lona enjoyed time with over the years.

Lona’s celebration of life will be on Friday, January 9, 2026, at New Comer Funeral Home located at 6 Empire Blvd, Rochester from 10:30am- 12:00pm, with a 30-minute service at 11:30am. Please join us to celebrate a life well lived.

Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society and the Humane Society of Greater Rochester.