Betty Ann Kennedy (March 13, 1930 – October 30, 2016) was an American bridge player from Shreveport, Louisiana.[1][2] She won five world championships, including four from 1974 to 1984 in partnership with Carol Sanders of Tennessee and the 2003 Venice Cup.[3] Analyst Eric Kokish wrote concerning the 2003 final match that "Kennedy was a standout, doing virtually nothing wrong."[1]

She studied bridge on her doctor's recommendation when she suffered from encephalitis and consequent depression.[4] Sanders and Kennedy were known as "the Southern Belles" or simply "The Belles".[4] They compiled 10 NABC wins and 8 runners-up together.[5]

In 1993 Kennedy became the second woman to receive the Louisiana Hall of Fame Award.[1][6] She was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame in 2005.[7] She received the ACBL's annual sportsmanship award in 2011.[8]

Kennedy and her husband Jack, another bridge player, had four children.[1] She died in Shreveport on October 30, 2016, at the age of 86 after a fall.[9]

Bridge accomplishments

Honors

  • Louisiana Hall of Fame, 1993[6]
  • ACBL Hall of Fame, 2005[7]
  • Sidney Lazard Jr. Sportsmanship Award, 2011[8]

Wins

Runners-up

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Kennedy, Betty". Hall of Fame. ACBL. Retrieved 2014-11-16. Quote: "known for her unfailing graciousness and charm at the table — to partners and opponents alike."
  2. Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, Dorthy A., eds. (1994). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (5th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 665. ISBN 0-943855-48-9. LCCN 96188639.
  3. "Taking Inference to Its Limit Produces the Margin of Victory". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. July 16, 2005. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "one of the nicest and friendliest players you could meet."
      Correction published July 21, retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "has won five, not four".
  4. 1 2 "BRIDGE: One of the Southern belles". Phillip Alder. Ocala Star-Banner. January 6, 2000. Syndicated column. Reprint at Google News retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "someone who wins admirers everywhere".
  5. "Bridge Loses Two Hall of Famers". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. August 31, 2012. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "Among the world's strongest pairs for many years"—concerning Carol Sanders and Kennedy; the column title refers Tom and Carol Sanders.
  6. 1 2 "Betty Ann Kennedy" Archived 2014-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Biographies. WBF. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
  7. 1 2 "Induction by Year" Archived 2014-12-05 at the Wayback Machine. Hall of Fame. ACBL. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  8. 1 2 "Sportsmanship, and a Knack for Finding the Killing Lead". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. July 15, 2011. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "one of the best and most likable players of all time".
  9. "Shreveport's international bridge champion dies".
  10. 1 2 "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-27. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  11. 1 2 "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-11-29. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  12. 1 2 "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-29. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  13. 1 2 "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-07-21. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  14. 1 2 "Women's BAM Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-12-01. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
Kennedy is one of eight featured "Past Great Champions".
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