Vernon M. Kennedy

Vernon Milton Kennedy, 76, a longtime resident of Saratoga, died Feb. 23 of cancer.

Kennedy was born in Granite, Okla. He had always wanted to be a pilot and earned his license at the age of 16. He served in the Army Air Corps for three years following World War II, and met and married his wife Bertha in Tucson, Ariz., in 1947. They have been residents of the Bay Area for 50 years, 37 of them in Saratoga.

As a young man, Kennedy worked as an aerial photographer mapping for oil at Fairchild Aerial Surveys. He later accepted a position at Pan American Airways. During his career he was an instructor for their navigation class. As a Pan Am pilot, he flew for 31 years, rising through the ranks as one of the first 747 captains, with Japan and Hong Kong being his most frequent destinations. When Pan Am sold their Pacific routes to United Airlines, he moved to United for two years, retiring in 1988. He was proud to have flown The Beatles during their first U.S. tour in 1964. After retirement, Kennedy went back to school. He became avidly interested in computers and started a website dedicated to communicating with Pan Am pilots from around the world.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bertha Kennedy; his children Eileen Gould of Roseville, Marilyn Kennedy of San Diego and Bob Kennedy of Saratoga and their spouses Doug Gould, Paul Beard and Marcia Kennedy; his grandchildren Shannon Cleator, Brian Gould, Kyle Beard, Cody Beard and Kaela Kennedy; and his brother J.T. Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Kimberly Gould, two sisters and three brothers.

A memorial service has been held. Donations can be sent in his name to either the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.

Kirsten R. Krajeska

Kirsten Rondum Krajeska, 92, of Saratoga died Jan. 22.

Krajeska was born in Denmark in 1912 and came to America in 1925. In 1953, she married Joseph Krajeska and they lived in Saratoga for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1990.

Krajeska was employed as an interior designer by Breuners in the 1950s. Following her employment there, she worked independently, opening her own studio in Saratoga.

She is survived by her brother Svend Rondum and his wife, Frances, of Frederick, Md., as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

The funeral services are private. There will be a memorial on March 4, 2­4 p.m., at The Forum at Rancho San Antonio. All who wish to celebrate her life are welcome to attend. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.