An ordinance co-sponsored by Council President Chris Paplauskas and Councilman Richard Campopiano came before council members Thursday requesting to name the city’s Oak Lawn Gazebo in memory of Cranston’s Meri Kennedy who passed away on Sept. 1 at age 59. The two council members said they would donate a sign near the gazebo acknowledging the dedication.

Paplauskas thanked Kennedy for her years of tireless work – talking about how she dedicated her life to the betterment of Cranston. She served as the Executive Director of Cranston Chamber of Commerce from 1985 to 1995 and was a reporter for the Cranston Herald, Warwick Beacon and Johnston Sun Rise. Kennedy never missed a deadline in her 28 years of working for the newspaper and became known in the community for her storytelling and profiling the good things that happen.

Kennedy was also a 2019 Cranston Hall of Fame inductee and Cranston High School East graduate. Paplauskas explained that she spent countless hours of her time, energy and passion being involved in community engagement and service – such as the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and Eden Park Elementary School.

“I’m happy to be able to do this gesture in her honor and remember her in this way,” said Paplauskas. “Meri was Cranston.”

Campopiano added that a person like Kennedy comes around once in a lifetime.

Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli thanked Paplaukas and Campopiano for introducing the ordinance.

“Meri was a very special person and she brought positivity everywhere she went,” said Renzulli. “She had this way about her that you don’t see that often anymore. She was really special and we had a lot of good conversations together, and I’ll always look at Steve [Meri’s companion] and think of Meri. She wanted to do so much good in the world, and I hope her memory inspires us to do the same.”

Councilwoman Aniece Germain added that she admires women in the journalism field.

“I know the work of a journalist is not easy, but when you have the love to do it and inform people and bring light to everything that’s happening in your community, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Germain.

Councilman John Donegan said every week he enjoyed opening the paper to the Cranston Chatter section which Kennedy wrote.

“I miss seeing Meri’s name there, and I’m appreciative of everything she gave to our city,” said Donegan.

The ordinance will now go before the full council on Oct. 24.