Grace C. Kerr

Long time Croton resident, devoted parishioner of the Asbury Methodist Church, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and genuine friend to many, Grace Kerr passed gently from this world to the next early in the morning of July 4th during a family vacation in East Harwich on Cape Cod.

Having battled cancer courageously for nearly two years she achieved her goal of saying goodbye to 50 family members at a home in a place she had cherished for more than 60 years. She was surrounded by people she loved and who also loved her dearly and whose lives she had filled with grace, dignity and fun.

A 1944 graduate of Verona High School and a proud 1948 graduate of Alfred University, Grace married her beloved husband, Jim, in 1950. They moved to Croton on November 1, 1962. Grace has loved Croton ever since. She is survived by her three siblings – Pat Congdon Wightman of Bath, NY, E. Lester Congdon of East Wallingford, VT, and Richard Congdon of Chester, NJ; her five children – Virginia Henderson, Elizabeth Nelson, Robert, James and John Kerr; 2 sons-in-law – Eric Henderson and Ted Nelson; 3 daughters-in-law Carmen Kerr, Ea Kerr and Myrna Ortiz; thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Jim preceded Grace in 1998, but Grace’s commitment to the village, to her church, to her friends, and to her family continued in big and small ways. A world traveler and prolific letter writer, she never forgot a birthday or anniversary, as she wrote out thousands of letters and cards to brighten the days of friends, family and anyone who came to her attention that was in need of a boost. She even met twice yearly for lunch with a group of friends from elementary school for the past 65+ years. She was predeceased by her parents Grace and Lester Congdon.

Grace also had an inspired sense of humor, equally capable of a witty pun or to greet her grandchildren at a busy airport wearing a red clown nose. She delighted in life and all who came into contact with her were blessed by her warmth and love.

Visitation hours have been arranged at the Edward Carter Funeral Home in Croton on Friday July 19th for 3-5pm and again from 7-9pm. Memorial service will be held at Asbury Methodist Church on Saturday July 20th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to Asbury Methodist Church, 19 Old Post Rd. South, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520.