Fed: Colleagues pause to honour Yvonne

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Fed: Colleagues pause to honour Yvonne

By Krystyna Pollard

SYDNEY, AAP - On September 11 Australian Red Cross members will pause to remember aboisterous colleague who died on the trip of a lifetime.

Yvonne Kennedy, 62, from the Sydney suburb of Westmead, was on her way back to Australiaafter a celebratory trip across the US for her retirement when she boarded a morning flightfrom Washington-Dulles to Los Angeles on September 11, 2001.

A short time later American Airlines flight 77 was hijacked by terrorists, and at 9.37amlocal time crashed into the Pentagon, killing all 58 passengers and six crew on board.

It was a tragic end to a holiday Mrs Kennedy had always dreamed of making, her sonLeigh saying the only consolation for her family that she "got to do all the things shewanted to do and see the things she wanted to see".

A year on from the tragedy, Mrs Kennedy is being remembered by the Australian Red Crossas a "loyal and dedicated" member of the team.

At 9.40am (AEST) on the day volunteers, members and staff will pause for one minuteto remember Mrs Kennedy, and flags on all Australian Red Cross buildings and property- including Australian Red Cross Blood Service premises - will be flown at half-mast.

Mrs Kennedy retired in December 2000 after 25 years with the organisation as both avolunteer and staff member, and national chairman Dr Rob O'Regan said she would be rememberedfor her lust for life.

"She was passionate and determined, and as the state co-ordinator of the VoluntaryAid Service Corp (VASC) dedicated 10 years to ensuring volunteers trained in first aidwere ready and able to respond to a disaster or crisis," he said in a statement.

In 1984 Mrs Kennedy was presented with the Australian Red Cross Service Award, andon World Red Cross Day 2001 received the state Distinguished Service Award for outstandingachievement.

But to many in the Australian Red Cross, she will simply be remembered as a good friend.

"She was renowned for her quirky sense of humour, her entertaining stories and greatgenerosity," Dr O'Regan said.

"Yvonne had a big personality and a laugh to match and we are grateful for her positivecontribution to Australian Red Cross.

"She is sadly missed by her family and friends."

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KEYWORD: SEPT11 KENNEDY