Kendall “Kenni” H. Halford was born December 2, 1937, in Ontario, Oregon, to Glen and Mildred Hutchinson. She attended Ontario High School and later received a B.A. from Oregon State University.
Kenni met her future husband, Frank Halford, in Hawaii while on a sorority trip and married him in Denver, Colorado, while Frank finished his degree. Their first son, Brock, was born in Denver and later, they moved to Hawaii where their second son, Jay, was born.
The family moved to San Jose, California, in the 1950s shortly before Frank died, and she went to work as a systems analyst for Lockheed Martin, one of the first women to hold that position. When her sons were grown and on their own and after she retired, Kenni moved to Salem in 1998 to be closer to her sisters, Barbara, Candi, and family members. Kenni enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Barbados, and Park City, Utah, to mention a few. She preferred hotels to camping out but occasionally went glamping in her 35-foot RV.
She loved to shop, especially with her sister Candi, go out to eat, play bridge, and decorate her home: these brought her great joy. She was a kind and loving mother, sister, and friend. Being independent was important to Kenni and she was able to be home in comfortable surroundings during the final weeks of her life.
She was concerned about the world, her family, and friends, and especially adored her dear friend, Alison Bronemann. Kenni also appreciated the love of her neighbors, including Lori Cole, Kathy Yee, David and Rita Moore, and many others.
Kenni was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Frank, her two sons, David “Brock” Halford, and Joseph “Jay” Halford, and her two sisters, Barbara McGowan and Candice Chamberlain. She is survived by her brother-in-laws Michael Chamberlain and Scott McGowan and nieces Molly Jackson, Kim Cumbo-Gordon, Angela Shannon, Jessica Miller, and Mandy Chamberlain, and great nieces and nephews.
In her final days, she was at peace knowing she’d be laid to rest next to her two beloved sons.
Donations in memory of Kenni can be sent to the Halford Family Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation, 530 Center Street NE Suite 230, Salem OR 97301. The Halford Family Fund was created to support research in the areas of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. Donations can also be given in her name to the Oregon Humane Society, Salem Campus, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 or via their website Oregon Humane Society or to any non-profit organization.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Restlawn Funeral Home, 201 S Oak Grove Road NW, Salem with internment immediately following the service.
– Submitted information
