Margaret Kearns Of Westhampton Beach Dies February 24

Margaret Rosalie (Kennedy) Kearns of Westhampton Beach died at home, surrounded by her family, on February 24, 2020. She was 86.

Born to Anna and Howard Kennedy on July 9, 1933, in Mohawk, New York, she grew up in Mohawk Valley, then moved as a young adult to Syracuse, where she met William Kearns. They married in 1958 in Syracuse, where they remained until moving to East Quogue in 1968 and then Westhampton Beach in the 1970s.

Mrs. Kearns was well-known in the community. She served in the Ladies Guild at the Church of the Immaculate Conception for many years, loved gardening, and loved her family boldly, survivors said. During World War II, she worked in her uncle Ed’s ice cream ice shop before and after school. She had a few careers including a teletype operator with General Electric in Syracuse in the 1950s and 1960s, owning and operating an antique resale business in Westhampton Beach and in East Moriches, and working at the social services department in Riverhead aiding those in need of services through HEAP.

She was known to be kind and funny, and supportive to any community member in need of assistance or guidance.

She is survived by her children, Sherman Kearns (Susan), Mary Kearns Lehman, John Kearns (Joy) and Sarah Kearns Sulzinski (Paul); her sister, Kathy Grenier; her brothers, Tom and James Thomas; grandchildren, Christina Kearns, Ryan Kearns, Erin Lehman, Gabrielle Lehman, Lee Kearns, Bret Kearns, Jamie Kearns, Kaitlyn Kearns and Marissa Kearns; and two great-grandchildren, Arlena Lehman and Oliva Kearns.

She was predeceased by her husband, William Kearns, in 2018; and a granddaughter, Katherine Lehman, in 2015.

Visitation took place at Werner-Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach on February 28. A funeral Mass was held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery in East Quogue.