Sandpoint Woman ‘Mother Of The Year’

Needie Kennedy of Sandpoint has been named Idaho “Mother of the Year.”

Kennedy, mother of boys aged 17, 21 and 24, is a cashier and switchboard operator at Bonner General Hospital. She’s also a Sunday school music director, and active in 4-H and Boy Scouts.

She was honored Wednesday with a ceremony at the state Capitol and a proclamation from Gov. Phil Batt. “I was fortunate enough to be home 18 years before I chose to go to work,” Kennedy said.

She said it was “so beneficial” to have raised her boys on a ranch.

The annual award is presented by the Idaho chapter of American Mothers Inc., a nationwide interfaith support group for mothers.