Betty Kern - Obituary

native Washingtonian, Betty Kern graduated from Holy Cross High School, and later from Providence Nursing Hospital in 1949. She worked as a Clinical Oncology nurse at Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Wash. DC for 20 years. While there she initiated and coordinated a patient support group, Make Today Count, where patients, and their families, discussed issues regarding coping with terminal illness, death and bereavement. She frequently hosted this group in her home especially during the holidays. She participated in the outreach program of the Susan B. Komen Foundation which provided free breast exams and mammograms for women thru out the DC area. During this time Mrs. Kern also created and led a Compassion Committee at Saint Columba Church in Oxon Hill, MD to aid families during the loss of a loved one. After retirement, she acted as Health Director for the Crescent City Adult Day Care Center in Oxon Hill, MD. Her husband, Dr. Gerald J. Kern, DDS and her sister, Marie Yates preceded her in death in 1984 and 2010 respectively. Betty is survived by her seven children: Janet Sprouse (Dennis), Esther Kern (Max), Margaret Kern Payne (Bruce), Robert Kern (Janice), Anne Sanabria (Rob), Barbara Kern Arthur (John) and Paul Kern (Karina). Also by her five grandchildren: Wendy, Laura, Maura, Brittany and Meghan; her four great-grandchildren: Alex, Jack, Nick and Isabelle; sister-in-law, Mary Kern, plus numerous, nieces and nephews.