Obituary of Mary Kern

Mary Kern, 90, of Carmel, NY passed away peacefully on May 4, 2019 with her family by her side. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Joseph Kern; two daughters, Eileen Lewis (Jim) and Susan Grenier (Denis); one son, Joseph Kern, Jr.; and 4 grandchildren, Matthew Grenier, David Grenier, Justine Lewis, and Julia Kern. Mary (Brodie) was born on January 17, 1929 in Clifton, NJ, where she grew up and graduated from high school. She met Joe while they both worked in a Grand Union warehouse. They began their romance and eventually married in the Kern family home in Fort Lee in 1957. Mary and Joe moved to Passaic, NJ where they began to grow their family, first welcoming daughter Eileen, followed by Sue and son Joey. In the summers, they vacationed at a beach bungalow in Hampton Bays, Long Island. In 1962, Mary and Joe moved to Kelly Ridge in Carmel, NY to raise their kids while Joe worked at IBM. They joined St. James the Apostle Church, ran an after-school roller-skating program at the high school, and became regulars at the Carmel Diner. Mary worked at the local thrift store, joined the VFW Auxiliary, and became a leader for the Girl Scouts. An original member of the PHC Auxiliary, she volunteered at Putnam Hospital for more than 45 years. Most of all, Mary enjoyed maintaining her home while caring and cooking for her family, friends, and neighbors. Over the years, she and Joe hosted many family holidays and summer barbecues; they loved sharing their vegetable garden, swimming pool, and tree swing with their grandkids and neighbors. After Joe’s retirement, Mary and her husband had many opportunities to travel the world for leisure and to visit their children. Their travels spanned the globe and included Hawaii, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. Aruba and Gloucester, Massachusetts were favorite spots. Everywhere they went they enjoyed finding new restaurants to try. In 2018, Mary and Joe moved out of their wonderful home of 56 years to be closer to family in Millville, NJ. They quickly found a new diner. Mary’s family wishes to thank her friends and neighbors in the community for being such a fulfilling part of her life. She was a strong woman, a loving wife and mother, and a good friend and neighbor. She will be loved and missed for years to come. [For Putnam County Courier] In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the anti-poverty Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP), 121 Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509 [For Burlington County NJ] In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local VFW