1940
JoAnn
2014
JoAnn (Iannotti) Kern
June 24, 1940 — April 17, 2014
JoAnn Iannotti Kern passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2014 from ALS, with her loving family by her side. She faced her illness with the grace and dignity that defined her entire life. JoAnn's faith in God and his wisdom, never wavered. She saw beauty and goodness in everyone she met.
A funeral mass will be held 11:00 am Friday, April 25, 2014 at St. Egbert's Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Davis officiating.
JoAnn was born in Rome, NY on June 24, 1940, the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Immaculata DeCicco Iannotti of Melizzano, Italy. She was proud of her Italian heritage. Each year, especially during the holidays, she observed family traditions and taught them to her children and their families.
In 1958, JoAnn graduated from Rome Free Academy. During her school days she made lifelong friends. They greeted her with open arms at their 50the class reunion.
At the age of eighteen, JoAnn married Robert Anthony Kern, the love of her life. The wedding ceremony, officiated by Father Libra, commenced on August 23, 1958, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Rome, NY.
A young bride, JoAnn first learned to cook from her husband's grandmother, Mary Rizzo. JoAnn continued to learn and became a highly skilled cook and baker. She was also an avid reader. In addition, she taught herself how to paint.
While her husband Robert was employed by IBM, they lived in various cities and raised three wonderful children. In 1993 they moved from Raleigh, NC to Atlantic Beach, NC.
JoAnn and Bob were selected as members of the Friendship Force, an international organization formed by President Carter to promote cultural exchanges among nations. As citizens of the United States, they traveled to Australia and Brazil, staying with locals. Subsequently, families from Australia and Mexico came to the United States and stayed with them.
JoAnn had a genuine interest in people. With her enthusiasm and kind heart, she made friends wherever she went. Without a doubt, JoAnn's family and friends were the most important part of her life.
JoAnn will be deeply missed by her husband Robert Anthony Kern; sons Steven Michael Kern and wife Wendi of Orlando, FL, and Robert Joseph Kern and wife Susan of Apex, NC; sister Angelina Iannotti Barr of Rome, NY; brother Orlando Iannotti of Oneida, NY; grandchildren Jordan Elizabeth Kern of Orlando, FL, Erik Anthony Kern of Apex, NC, and Adam Thomas Kern of Apex, NC; Great Granddaughter Hailey Dennison and special niece Lucille DeMasi Martinez and husband Frank.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Elizabeth Ann Kern, sisters Yolanda Iannotti Guaspari, and Roma Iannotti DeMasi.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter (ALS Association www.catfishchapter.org), or Hospice of Carteret County PO Drawer 1619 Morehead City, NC 28557.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
A funeral mass will be held 11:00 am Friday, April 25, 2014 at St. Egbert's Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Davis officiating.
JoAnn was born in Rome, NY on June 24, 1940, the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Immaculata DeCicco Iannotti of Melizzano, Italy. She was proud of her Italian heritage. Each year, especially during the holidays, she observed family traditions and taught them to her children and their families.
In 1958, JoAnn graduated from Rome Free Academy. During her school days she made lifelong friends. They greeted her with open arms at their 50the class reunion.
At the age of eighteen, JoAnn married Robert Anthony Kern, the love of her life. The wedding ceremony, officiated by Father Libra, commenced on August 23, 1958, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Rome, NY.
A young bride, JoAnn first learned to cook from her husband's grandmother, Mary Rizzo. JoAnn continued to learn and became a highly skilled cook and baker. She was also an avid reader. In addition, she taught herself how to paint.
While her husband Robert was employed by IBM, they lived in various cities and raised three wonderful children. In 1993 they moved from Raleigh, NC to Atlantic Beach, NC.
JoAnn and Bob were selected as members of the Friendship Force, an international organization formed by President Carter to promote cultural exchanges among nations. As citizens of the United States, they traveled to Australia and Brazil, staying with locals. Subsequently, families from Australia and Mexico came to the United States and stayed with them.
JoAnn had a genuine interest in people. With her enthusiasm and kind heart, she made friends wherever she went. Without a doubt, JoAnn's family and friends were the most important part of her life.
JoAnn will be deeply missed by her husband Robert Anthony Kern; sons Steven Michael Kern and wife Wendi of Orlando, FL, and Robert Joseph Kern and wife Susan of Apex, NC; sister Angelina Iannotti Barr of Rome, NY; brother Orlando Iannotti of Oneida, NY; grandchildren Jordan Elizabeth Kern of Orlando, FL, Erik Anthony Kern of Apex, NC, and Adam Thomas Kern of Apex, NC; Great Granddaughter Hailey Dennison and special niece Lucille DeMasi Martinez and husband Frank.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Elizabeth Ann Kern, sisters Yolanda Iannotti Guaspari, and Roma Iannotti DeMasi.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter (ALS Association www.catfishchapter.org), or Hospice of Carteret County PO Drawer 1619 Morehead City, NC 28557.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
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