Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Kiernan

Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, Betty was a woman of fierce compassion, deep faith, and quiet but profound impact. She dedicated her life to the service of others — in her career, her church, her community, and in every relationship she built along the way.

Betty was predeceased by her beloved parents, Joseph and Marie Kiernan (née Cavanaugh), and her sister Robin. She is survived by her niece, Cynthia Komosinski and her family, along with countless friends and loved ones whom she considered family — including the Bremberg family, with whom she shared decades of holidays, memories, and love as “Aunt Betty.”

A proud New Yorker, Betty lived independently for over 50 years on East 35th Street in Manhattan, where she was a cornerstone of her neighborhood and parish community. In her later years, she resided at Winchester Gardens Assisted Living in Maplewood, NJ.

A lifelong learner and dedicated registered nurse, Betty earned her B.S. in Nursing from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. True to her relentless curiosity and commitment to others, she earned her M.S. in Gerontologic Nursing from Hunter College at the age of 62, becoming a geriatric nurse practitioner and member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing.

Betty’s professional career was extraordinary. She spent 43 years at Project Renewal, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness by empowering individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Betty was one of the organization’s founding staff members, joining in 1967 as Director of Nursing Services when it was known as Manhattan Bowery Corporation. She helped establish the city’s first medical detoxification unit for men on the Bowery — an innovative, compassionate alternative to incarceration for public inebriates.

Betty went on to serve as Associate Director, guiding the organization’s expansion and touching every corner of its mission. She was an expert in addiction recovery, and a sought-after educator — teaching first responders and police officers, even speaking internationally in Israel. She retired in 2010, leaving a legacy that continues to shape Project Renewal’s work today.

Outside of her professional life, Betty lived her Catholic faith with joy and service. She was an active and devoted member of the Church of Our Saviour, Sacred Heart Chapel, and the 33 Club for Seniors. Until the age of 82, she ministered to the homebound as a Eucharistic Minister and served as a lector at daily Mass.

Betty also cherished the arts and was a longtime season ticket holder at the Metropolitan Opera House.

In recognition of her lifelong generosity, Leyland and Liza Streiff (Betty’s goddaughter) founded The Betty Kiernan Foundation to continue her mission of service. The foundation supports women and families in need through four-year nursing scholarships, hardship grants, and career mentorship.

Betty lived quietly but made an immeasurable difference. She believed in showing up, in caring deeply, and in lifting others when they needed it most. Whether it was slipping subway fare into a client’s hand when no one else was looking or asking about a former patient’s sobriety years after they’d left her care — she never stopped paying attention.

Her kindness, strength, and unwavering service will continue to ripple through the lives she touched.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Our Saviour, 59 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016 on Friday, April 11th at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Betty Kiernan Foundation to continue her mission of service and support. https://www.bettykiernanfoundation.org/