BEAUFORT, S.C. — Known as Lulu to her 10 grandchildren, Louise Kennedy Anthony set out from her hometown of Globe, to see and conquer the world, and conquer it she did.
Following a ferocious, prolonged and at times humorous battle with cancer, Louise came to a gentle rest, on her terms, and in the comfort of her home accompanied by her husband and best friend, Mark; eldest daughter Sharon (Green); second daughter, Denise (Giacco); and with third child Darren (en route from California), on the morning of the July 22, 2017. Not one to let the party end, Louise’s 75th birthday party will continue to be held this fall for friends, family and extended community joining to celebrate her life.
Louise was born March 1942 in Phoenix, and raised in Globe. She attended the University of Arizona before being swept off her feet by her dear husband, Mark Anthony. Their love was a beautiful courtship that became a marriage of 56 years.
Following the start of her family, Louise embarked on a career selling Avon products door-to-door that allowed her an opportunity to partake in a career utilizing her passionate desire to help people directly while balancing care for her family and supplementing the family’s finances. For Louise, doing anything halfway was not good enough and her enthusiastic beginning lead to a distinguished and worldly 28-year career with Avon.
Her career brought Louise and her family to New York, where they resided in Darien, Conn., then to San Marino, Calif., and ultimately to Asia where Louise and Mark lived in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Her eagerness for developing Avon’s direct sales combined with her love of travel lead to much of the company’s success in these new markets. However, Louise always saw her role beyond her direct responsibilities, seeking to help guide, support, and mentor young women professionals along their career paths.
Eventually she retired from Avon, but was not done working as she continued consulting with companies that benefited from her sales insights. Splitting time over 16 years between Westerly R.I. and Beaufort S.C. before settling in her adopted home of Beaufort, Louise became deeply involved in her communities and later working in a couple of local retail stores, returned to her roots of working directly with customers.
Family and friends were very important to Louise. Her keen sense of humor and zest for living offered her opportunity to enjoy life’s rich experiences. She was a loyal friend, loving mother and grandmother, and devoted wife.
She is survived by her husband Mark of Beaufort, S.C.; her daughter, Sharon Green and son-in-law, Bill, of Charlotte, N.C., her daughter, Denise Giacco and son-in-law, Jay, of Charleston, S.C.; and her son, Darren Anthony and daughter-in-law, Heather, of San Francisco, Calif. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Dylan and Finn Green, Britt, Corey, Brett and Michael Giacco, Ashley, Skylar, Reed and Colton Anthony; her sister, Polly Aiello; and brother Keith Kennedy and his wife, Caren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Clara and Paul Kennedy.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Louise’s memory to the Agape Hospice Senior Foundation at 113 E. Washington St. Suite G, Walterboro, SC 29488.
