Winnie Anne (Lonergan) Kerns

Winnie Anne Kerns, age 86, of Port Carbon, PA, passed away at home surrounded by her loving and eternally grateful family on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021.

Born in Pottsville, PA on April 11, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Kathryn (Seitzinger) Lonergan.

Winnie was a graduate of St. Stephen’s High School, Class of 1952. She later worked at the Miners Bank in Port Carbon where she met her future and beloved husband of 65 years, J. Donald Kerns.

When she wasn’t running after her eight (yes—eight!) children, Winnie devoted her time, talent, and energy to her church and community. She was an active and lifelong member of St. Stephen’s Church in Port Carbon, where she worked as the parish secretary for almost four decades. She also logged long hours and countless miles making home visits on behalf of United Cerebral Palsy. She founded St. Stephen’s chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She was professed as a Third Order Carmelite in May, 2007, and enjoyed attending meetings in Pottsville and days of recollection in Middletown, NY. Winnie had a special and enduring talent for serving others especially during times of crisis and need; her various ministries and volunteer work included visiting inmates in our county’s prisons. She always offered prayers and to say the rosary for her immediate and extended family, friends, and even strangers. Her faith was perpetually fortified through daily mass, her “holy hour,” devotion to the Blessed Mother, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and her many faithful friends.

In addition to her parents, Winnie was preceded in death by her siblings: Thomas, Sis, Moe, Joan, Gene, Mary Frances, and Margie.

Winnie’s greatest successes in life were her marriage to her treasured husband Don and her cherished and devoted children who, despite everything, wish they did not have to say a final goodbye: Brian (Kristy Rauch), Colleen (David Garber), Timothy (the late Rebecca Finley), Daniel, Maureen (Michael Rutkowski), Kathleen, Anne Michelle (Robert Keefe), and Robert (Hiroko Ota). “Mimi” was adored by her dear grandchildren: Padraic, Tai, Mana, Kai, Karina, Hannah, Megan, Sarah, Katharine, Caleb, Elizabeth, Emily, Matthew, Emmett, Ian, Mari, Conor, and great-grandchildren Matthias and Mikhael. Winnie will also be greatly missed by her brothers and sisters: Rev. Michael Lonergan, Danny Lonergan, Loretta Franey, and Kathy Brahler, and her many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Port Carbon at 11AM on Friday, August 27th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating and the Rev. Michael Lonergan concelebrating.

Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday morning from 9-11:00 AM at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be privately held on another date at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul through the local chapter website at www.svdp-Phila.info.

The Robert A Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon is 

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