Kennedy

Susan Watts Kennedy, affectionately known as “FuFu,” passed away on Nov. 6, 2026, at the age of 73, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter and unforgettable memories.
Services for Susan will be held at 2 p.m. at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home on Thursday, Nov. 12. Burial will follow at Frankfort Cemetery. Visitation will be at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Born on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1953, Susan was the daughter of Barclay and Evelyn Watts and sister to Tommy Watts, Bernice Schemera and John Timothy Watts. Being born on Valentine’s Day was especially appropriate for a woman with such a big heart, a beautiful smile and a wonderful sense of humor.
Susan was married for 54 years to her husband, James Russell “Russ” Kennedy. Fifty-four years of marriage is a remarkable accomplishment, requiring love, patience, compromise and, in Russ’s case, the wisdom to occasionally recognize when it was simply time to go into the other room.
Together, they raised two sons, Scott Kennedy (Anne Druin) and Jack Kennedy (Dr. Stephanie Kennedy). Susan also leaves behind four beloved grandchildren, Savannah Kennedy, Jack Carlton Kennedy, Abigail Kennedy and Isabella Kennedy, each of whom brought tremendous joy to her life.
Her famous nickname, “FuFu,” came courtesy of her niece Sarah, who, as a young child, couldn’t quite pronounce “Susan.” The name stuck, and for the rest of her life, she answered to a name that sounded more like a pampered French poodle than a woman with a razor-sharp comeback. Somehow, it suited her perfectly.
Susan was an avid reader, a thoughtful gift giver and the undisputed Queen of Candles. If you ever received a gift from Susan, you knew she had put thought into it. She had a special talent for making people feel remembered and appreciated.
Susan had a fondness for a good sweet treat and a special love for Halloween and Christmas. Both holidays brought out her festive spirit, giving her plenty of opportunities to decorate, celebrate and, perhaps most importantly, find thoughtful ways to make the people around her feel special.
Susan was always an avid sports fan. First as a baseball mom and later as an umpire mom, she spent countless hours following the game, cheering from the stands and supporting the people she loved. She also enjoyed betting on the ponies and understood that picking a winning horse required a combination of knowledge, instinct and occasionally a complete disregard for both.
But what truly made Susan special was her personality. She had a beautiful, infectious smile, a laugh that could fill a room and a wonderfully sharp wit. She had a gift for finding humor in everyday situations, often delivering the perfect observation at precisely the right moment. Her timing was impeccable, her humor effortless, and she had a remarkable ability to make those around her laugh, sometimes when they needed it most.
Susan treasured her work family, forming friendships that extended far beyond the workplace. She loved her coworkers almost as much as her actual family, and depending on the day, perhaps a little more. Her friendships were genuine, her loyalty was unwavering, and her ability to make people smile was one of her greatest gifts.
Of all the places Susan could be, one of her favorites was her porch, surrounded by friends, enjoying good conversation, sharing stories and laughing at whatever, or whoever, happened to be the topic of discussion. She didn’t need anything fancy to enjoy life, just good company, a comfortable chair and someone who appreciated a good laugh.
Susan’s passing leaves an enormous hole in the hearts of those who loved her. But she also leaves behind something extraordinary: a lifetime of laughter, countless cherished memories and a family who will forever be grateful to have called her their own.
We love you, FuFu. We’ll miss your beautiful smile, your unforgettable laugh and the special way you made ordinary moments extraordinary.
Serving as active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff at the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission Public Information Office.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Susan’s memory to Umps Care Charities at www.umpscare.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences may be shared via the online guestbook at www.harrodbrothers.com.