Kathryn Kern

KERN, KATHRYN, 82, of Little Egg Harbor, N.J., entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center, Galloway, NJ.  She was born September 11, 1939, into an orphanage in Newark, NJ and was adopted by Frank and Ida Rubinetti of Hillside, NJ. Kathryn graduated Hillside High School in 1957 and graduated Montclair State College in 1961. She was awarded the title of “Woman of the Year” during her Senior year in 1961, and served as MSC’s School Treasurer. She also earned her MBA from Rutgers University in 1974. 

After being raised in Hillside, Kathryn resided in Basking Ridge, NJ from 1969 until moving to Little Egg Harbor in 1998.  She was a mother of 3 boys, Donald, Jimmy and David.  Jimmy deceased in January 2020. 

Kathryn was a singer, musician and church music director.  She performed several times in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Giants Stadium with The Masterwork Chorus and Summit Chorale.  It was during this time, she developed her love for music direction.  Kathryn has been a church music director for over 40 years for several churches located in Randolph, NJ, Myersville, NJ, and most notably for the First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton, NJ for over 20 years. Making sacred music and leading the choir was her joy!

Kathryn was an avid gardener and loved growing flowers and vegetables from seed. Her bountiful gardens were always on display at her home in Mystic Island.

As an environmentalist, she cared deeply about the health of the estuaries that bordered her beautiful property.  She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2017 for NERR, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve.  

Kathryn spent countless hours volunteering her time to serve those less fortunate. She especially loved knitting and needlepointing and making clothes for those in need. She supported many charities, but her favorite causes were Family Promise, Crafty Crafters, and the church bazaar.

Kathryn was the proud grandmother of Daniel Joseph Kern, SK3, U.S. Coast Guard.

Kathryn is survived by her loving son and daughter in law, David and Laura Kern, of Brant Beach, NJ, and her son, Donald Kern, Jr., of Elizabeth, NJ, her grandson, Daniel Joseph Kern, of Portsmouth, VA, sister Janet Amato, of FL, and the loving ministers, deacons, choir and congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton, NJ.

Kathryn is being honored with a dedicated Memorial Garden at the First Presbyterian Church in Tuckerton, NJ. Donations for the construction of the garden and memorial plaque should be made out to “FPCT” and mailed to the church.  

Kathryn’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022.  Family visitation is at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with the service beginning at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton, NJ, 210 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087.

Wood Funeral Home, 134 East Main Street in Tuckerton, is handling the arrangements.  

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