Janet Claire (Kelly) Kerr

VOORHEESVILLE – Janet Claire (Kelly) Kerr, 66, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on July 16, 2011, less than a month after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. She was the youngest daughter of the late James M. and M. Isabelle Kelly of Albany. Janet was a woman of faith, who touched the lives of many with her gentle and generous spirit.

Janet devoted herself to others. As a sister to six, an aunt to thirty-three nieces and nephews, and as a loving wife and stay-at-home mom, her determined, yet caring presence, brought strength to those she knew.

She was a lifelong learner, graduating from Vincentian Institute (1963), Mount Saint Mary’s College (1967) and The College of St. Rose (M.A. Education). She was a lifelong teacher of children – at Sand Lake Elementary, as a tutor, and after raising her own, as a substitute for Voorheesville Elementary School. Janet was also an active parishioner of St. Matthew’s Parish where she was most recently a member of the Adult Faith Formation Committee and Alzheimer’s Care Team.

She is survived by her husband William J. Kerr; her children, Cheryl Kerr Delaney of Edgewater, NJ (Daniel) and William B. Kerr of New York, NY. Janet was a loving sister to James Kelly (Patricia) of Albany, Patricia Biggar (late Charles) of Ridgefield, CT, William Kelly (Ann) of Voorheesville, Isabelle “Missy” Carroll (William) of Albany, her twin brother John Kelly (Carolyn) of Enfield, CT, and her late sister Bernadette Grogan.

Janet’s family is grateful for the outpouring of support from family, friends and neighbors in addition to the loving care she received by her sisters, sisters-in-law, the nurses of St. Peter’s Hospital and The Community Hospice of Albany County. All those wishing to carry on Janet’s acts of charity are encouraged to make donations in her memory to St. Matthew’s Church, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville, NY 12186 or The Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Friends are invited to a Rite of Reception of Janet’s body at St. Matthew’s Church, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville at 4:00 PM Thursday July 21, 2011.  Immediately following, the family will be receiving guests until 7:30 PM at which time there will be a Vigil of Prayer and Remembrance.  Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Friday morning at St. Matthew’s Church and interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.   To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here for directions to St. Matthew’s Church.