Kristen Elizabeth Hennessey, 53, passed away on September 23rd surrounded by the love of her life Timothy Hennessey and her two dogs, Stout and Emma, with a smile on her face as they prepared for her favorite time each week in the fall, Saturday College Game Day. An unwavering fan of Notre Dame, she passed with high hopes for the game and the season. 

Kristen, or Sissy, was a mother to many, a fighter for all, and the queen of glitter and bling. She loved her family more than anything and was a warrior for all children. Sissy always reached out a hand to help and was selfless until the end. She was lucky to be married to her perfect match for twenty years and was Aunt Grace, Aunt Minnie, or the fairy Godmother to ten nephews and nieces and six great nephews and nieces. Kristen was a staunch believer in student nutrition having served as the state association president and on many national committees while speaking to congress numerous times about the importance of well-fed children. Her work with Senator Stabenow and the state of Michigan legislators lead to her ultimate goal of free lunch and breakfast for all school age children before her passing. 

Kristen was a true servant leader, though her cooking abilities were limited, she never stepped aside from making sure every student, no matter their dietary needs or restrictions, were fed, often diving in to help staff and others when it was needed. Her work during the Covid pandemic to feed thousands of school children for free highlighted her ability to take a bad situation and make it bright. 

Kristen was a proud Delta Zeta sister, still helping the organization up until her passing. She cherished her fab five sorority sisters along with the memories and accidents they created. The greatest blessing of Kristen was her ability to make whomever was around her feel special and important. Kristen was known to adopt bartenders, hotel staff, and was affectionately known as the fancy lunch lady. As a self-proclaimed reviewer of hospitals, Sunshine, as her dad called her, never let obstacles slow her but chose to have a joyful spirit. It is without doubt that Kristen is in heaven preparing a tailgate party for her friends and family when they meet again.

Kristen was preceded in death by her grandparents Theodore and Betty Mansour, William and Evelyn Viel, special great aunt Esther, and her brother-in-law Matthew Fouch. She is survived by her parents Gary and Carolyn Vaughan, her sister Jill, Brother Gregory (Karri), father and mother-in-law Raymond and Marianne Hennessey, brother-in-law Larry (Mary), sisters-in-law Ellen (Mike) and Julie, nephews Jacob, Brady, Zachary, Maximilian, John (Siri), Bryann, A.J. (Shahrzad), Matthew (Ashley), Josh (Cassie), and niece Maddie. She is also survived by many incredible and caring aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to establish Kristen’s Kids scholarship fund. This scholarship is for graduating seniors from the Plymouth-Canton school district who are furthering their education in culinary arts or hotel management.

Visitation for Kristen will be held on Thursday, September 28th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service, at McCabe Funeral Home, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton. She will lie in state on Friday, September 29th, at 10:00 a.m., until the time of her Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church, 555 S. Lilley Rd., Canton.