Obituary of Mary Kathleen Kearns

KEARNS: Mary Kathleen (Morris. The family of Mary Kearns sadly announces her death on Monday, August 25, 2008, at Meadow Park Nursing Home, Chatham, ON, with loving family by her side. Born on a farm near Staffa, ON, July 28, 1919, Mary was the fifth of nine children of William and Josephine (Gallagher) Morris. Beloved wife of the late James “Garnet” Kearns (1975). They met while she was teaching at St. Patrick’s elementary school, SSS #4, Merlin, a one-room country school. Dear mother of Carole Kearns, Windsor; Jim and Mary Jane (Lapp) Kearns, Northville, MI; John and Claudia (Cowan) Kearns, Chatham; Anne & Mike Matthews, Stratford; Barb and Dan Hoy, Clive, IA; Mike and Ruth (West) Kearns, Maple Ridge, BC and the late Gayle Whaling (1986). Loving grandmother of Jeff and Scott (Jane) Whaling; Ann Switzer; Jason (Lisa), Shaun (Carolyn) Kearns; Jeremy (Medori), Ben (Alexis) and Alex Matthews; Sarah, Colin and Shannon Hoy; Reta and David (Sheila) Kearns. Proud great-grandmother of Andrew and Amanda Matthews. Dear sister of Angela Haggarty, Stratford, ON and the late Jack (Rita), Lou, Joe, Fr. Elwyn, Patrick, Fr. Bill, Tom (Terri) Morris. Dear sister-in-law of Elva Robertson and Lois Kearns and the late Edna (Ivan) Lloyd; Joe Robertson; Joe Kearns; Mark Kearns; Maureen and Al Piette. Dear aunt to the Haggarty, Morris, Lloyd, Robertson and Kearns nieces and nephews. Close friend to Loretta Hoy, Helen Carley, Betty Ryken, Ann Zimmer, Joy Elliott, and her supportive, Meadow Park, friends, Vivian Chrysler, Nancy Hackett, Nellie Jackson and Robert Houle. Mom could stay up all night playing cards and always had an interest on the go, including gardening, crafts, reading, discussing, travelling, walking, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or the PGA Tour on TV. Most importantly she enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, and many special times with her grandchildren. Our sincere thanks to Mary’s physicians and all the compassionate caretakers who helped her so much when she lived at St. Andrew’s Terrace Apts., Maple City Residence, Copper Terrance and Meadow Park Nursing homes, and when she was hospitalized at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham and Sydenham Campuses. Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, on Friday, August 29, 2008 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008. Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, with Fr. Mitch Kaminski officiating from the Funeral Home. Cremation and interment to take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, Ontario. 519-351-2040