Obituary for Elsie Mary Kerr
Elsie Mary Kerr, 97, of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center on January 21, 2022, with her devoted family by her side. The matriarch of three generations of nurses, her legacy was fully apparent as she was watched over by her daughter and two granddaughters, all nurses in New England hospitals.
Born in Cheshire, Mass., on May 3, 1924, she was the daughter of Stefano and Elizabeth Bona Albareda. Stefano hailed from the Postalesio area of Lombardy, Italy, before he immigrated to the United States and met Elizabeth. Along with her brother Frederick, Elsie lived her early years in the Farnams Section of Cheshire. When hard times and deaths shook the family, Elsie and “Freddy” were brought under the foster care of Napoleon and Josephine Ouimette in Adams, where they grew up and attended school.
A 1943 graduate of Adams Memorial High School, Mrs. Kerr attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Pittsfield, from which she graduated in 1946. She worked for many years at St. Luke’s Hospital both as an instructor and as a nurse on a surgical floor. Later, she moved to Berkshire Medical Center after the merger of the two facilities. She touched many lives and provided compassionate care to countless patients and families.
She married Joseph K. Kerr on June 7, 1952, at St. Mary of the Morning Star Parish in Pittsfield. He predeceased her on October 1, 1982.
A devout, lifelong Catholic, Elsie was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church for 65 years as well as a member of the St. Luke’s School of Nursing Alumni. Second only to her faith in God was her devotion to the Red Sox. She was a proud fan through the years of the Curse and let the Yankees fans in her family know where her loyalty stood in no uncertain terms.
At the age of 72, she retired from the nursing profession but would continue to be an active member of the St. Luke’s Alumni, until her health would no longer allow it. Respected by her colleagues and peers, she would continue her lifelong work friendships outside the wards of BMC, as well. She could always be seen meeting for lunch down the street after daily Mass, or boarding the coach bus for annual trips to the Mohegan Sun with her friends.
Mrs. Kerr is survived by her daughters, Jolene McKay and husband BJ of Monkton, Vermont, Maureen Russo of Pittsfield, and Jacqueline Doyle and husband James of Sudbury, Mass., sons, Kevin Kerr and wife Joann of Canaan, Conn., and Chip Kerr of Pittsfield. Grandchildren, Joseph L., Joshua, Joseph K., Lawrence, and William Kerr, Caitlin and Gillian McKay, Nicholas Russo, Brady Kerr, Bridget Aldridge, Caroline and Thomas Doyle, as well as seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son in-law, Glenn Russo.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours will be held at Dery Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 26, from 3:00-6:00pm. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. The family have requested a private burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Home for Little Wanderers in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Born in Cheshire, Mass., on May 3, 1924, she was the daughter of Stefano and Elizabeth Bona Albareda. Stefano hailed from the Postalesio area of Lombardy, Italy, before he immigrated to the United States and met Elizabeth. Along with her brother Frederick, Elsie lived her early years in the Farnams Section of Cheshire. When hard times and deaths shook the family, Elsie and “Freddy” were brought under the foster care of Napoleon and Josephine Ouimette in Adams, where they grew up and attended school.
A 1943 graduate of Adams Memorial High School, Mrs. Kerr attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Pittsfield, from which she graduated in 1946. She worked for many years at St. Luke’s Hospital both as an instructor and as a nurse on a surgical floor. Later, she moved to Berkshire Medical Center after the merger of the two facilities. She touched many lives and provided compassionate care to countless patients and families.
She married Joseph K. Kerr on June 7, 1952, at St. Mary of the Morning Star Parish in Pittsfield. He predeceased her on October 1, 1982.
A devout, lifelong Catholic, Elsie was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church for 65 years as well as a member of the St. Luke’s School of Nursing Alumni. Second only to her faith in God was her devotion to the Red Sox. She was a proud fan through the years of the Curse and let the Yankees fans in her family know where her loyalty stood in no uncertain terms.
At the age of 72, she retired from the nursing profession but would continue to be an active member of the St. Luke’s Alumni, until her health would no longer allow it. Respected by her colleagues and peers, she would continue her lifelong work friendships outside the wards of BMC, as well. She could always be seen meeting for lunch down the street after daily Mass, or boarding the coach bus for annual trips to the Mohegan Sun with her friends.
Mrs. Kerr is survived by her daughters, Jolene McKay and husband BJ of Monkton, Vermont, Maureen Russo of Pittsfield, and Jacqueline Doyle and husband James of Sudbury, Mass., sons, Kevin Kerr and wife Joann of Canaan, Conn., and Chip Kerr of Pittsfield. Grandchildren, Joseph L., Joshua, Joseph K., Lawrence, and William Kerr, Caitlin and Gillian McKay, Nicholas Russo, Brady Kerr, Bridget Aldridge, Caroline and Thomas Doyle, as well as seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son in-law, Glenn Russo.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours will be held at Dery Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 26, from 3:00-6:00pm. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. The family have requested a private burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Home for Little Wanderers in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.