Nana Kay Kendall was given her name in honor of a women prominent in her mother’s childhood. It was an apt name for Nana as she became a tremendous caregiver throughout her life. She was born in Sycamore, IL on March 25, 1944 to Don and Bernice Kendall. The family lived above their family restaurant, Kendall’s Ranch, before moving back to Sycamore.
Nana graduated from Sycamore High in 1962. She obtained a degree in Hotel and Restaurant managing from the University of Denver, one of the few women in her field. She met her future husband, Bill Naden while managing a Women’s College for ARA food services. Nana and Bill owned and operated Midwest Imports, a European Food Specialty company in Chicago.
In retirement, they MEANDERED (their lic plate) in their motor home throughout the south and eventually became Winter Texans at their home in Brownsville TX. Nana proudly called herself a Summer Canadian after she and Bill bought their cottage in 1989 in Minaki Ontario.
Nana’s passions were her commitment to Bill and family and friends to whom she remained loyal. She loved to travel, including a recent trip with her dog Harley following the Rio Grande River for 3800 miles! Daily she enjoyed needlepoint projects, cooking, gardening and her beloved rescue dogs. Nana’s curiosity, kindness and generosity were her most enduring traits.
Nana became ill in mid-February and endured a rapid decline in health eventually being diagnosed with cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends with her brother Oz and sister Sally caring for her. Nana had a peaceful passing on June 8, 2022 and was guided by her faith in reuniting with Bill and other loved ones whom had passed.
Nana was preceded in death by her parents Don and Bernice Kendall, her husband Bill Naden, brother Richard “Dick” Kendall, her grandson Jared Stein and nephew Will Gibson. She is survived by her step-daughter Nancy Naden Stein, grandson Shane Stein, her brother Oz Kendall and sister Sally Kendall as well as her granddaughters, and nieces and nephews in the US and Canada.
A celebration of life will be held at Unity Church in Brownsville, TX on August 6, 2022 at 1 pm. For those wishing to make donations they can be made in Nana’s honor to Brownsville Animal Defense.
