Kennedy was born August 3rd 1995 to Stephanie Carpenter and Eric Johnson. Kennedy was a happy baby, that met all her milestones ahead, she was like an energizer bunny. She enjoyed playing with family and loved meeting new people. She was never afraid of strangers and would attach herself to people that were in her life.
Always in the center and upfront, she made her presence known. She had a soft heart for animals and a gift for performing. Throughout her childhood she tried many different activities, twisters gymnastics, acting, basketball, cheerleading, Jui Jitsu, volleyball, being on the youth leadership for Jefferson County Library, trail maintenance on the Olympic mountain trails for a summer youth job, volunteering at Second Chance Ranch in Quilcene, piano lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons, and 4-H for horses.
Kennedy loved all the local church groups and attended all of them at some point in time. Kennedy truly had a gift of accepting people for who they were and assisted with special needs children in public school and at head start. Growing up she was willing to try anything, swimming, bike riding and motorcycles. Kennedy did not want to miss anything going on and enjoyed participating in the Rhody parade with whoever needed her help. In Junior High she started to develop Mental Health conditions that were causing her to seek a different life than the one she was given by her parents. She went to therapy and really tried to understand all that was going on inside herself. despite her struggles she continued to stay busy. Music was her medicine and she was gifted with a beautiful voice that she learned to use to express her emotions. She played for local farmers markets and performed at open Mic at the upstage. She found friends that encouraged her to perform and share her gift with the world.
While busking downtown Port Townsend she met Andy Mackie and the next 4 years would be filled with performing all over the Olympic Peninsula and even at a Tacoma Highschool. She sang the high parts to his Scottish songs and met a group of truly amazing people both young and old that supported her. Kennedy also performed in the Stars of Tomorrow talent show for 5 years and then performed with a group of talented youth at the fairgrounds and around town for different venues. In High school she joined 4-H for horses and her horse Potsy, enjoyed the 4-H shows and meetings. Unfortunately her Mental Health conditions continued to grow and began affecting her ability to stay in school. She decided to get her GED and was very proud of this accomplishment.
Early adulthood was filled with treatment centers for Mental Health and led to addiction, trying to feel OKay. Kennedy worked hard and completed program after program, trying to help others in her situation and even at her darkest moments, she would try to help others.Kennedy had a beautiful year of sobriety and mental stabilization in Portland Oregon, she was thriving, living in an all female sobriety house, going to beauty school and was able to get her license and first car. It was a very happy time where she met the love of her life Coltin Donald. Unfortunately she relapsed and was never able to get her feet back on solid ground. Addiction and Mental Health conditions were very important to her, that people not judge and try to understand the "Why" behind behaviors and choices that she and many other's like herself encounter in this life.
Kennedy told me that she never wanted to be mentally ill or an addict when she was going through the hard parts of facing herself. Her life was filled with beauty and pain, laughter and tears. She lived in the moment, and left those that knew and loved her with precious memories and poems and songs.
Kennedy leaves behind her Mother Stephanie Yancey, her Stepfather Doyle Yancey, her biological father Eric Johnson, her brothers, Austin Johnson and Westen Johnson. Grandparents Chris Oki, Linda Putman, and Lynda Carpenter. Her Aunt's Alicia Carpenter and Angel Button, her Uncles Justin Carpenter, John Snyder and Travis Carpenter and a neice and nephews and numerous cousins.
Memorial and Celebration of Life
July 28th 2024 1:00 pm - Memorial
2:00-6:00 Celebration of Life, Pig roast and potluck.
2027 Egg and I Rd. Chimacum.
