Marjorie Kerns

She was born September 28, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Clyde Bean and Wilma Starlin Bean.

Marjorie married James W. Reilly in 1956 and had three children, James Robert, Barbara Lee and Sharon Ann. Marjorie and Jim divorced in 1977.

Marjorie was blessed to find love again, and married Robert Kerns in 1981. Robert was a single father raising five children on his own and Marjorie stepped up to the plate and into the role of step-mother.

Marjorie and Bob met each other at a support group for families of the mentally ill. Both Marjorie and Bob had children that suffered from schizophrenia.

Marjorie became a tireless advocate for mentally ill patients. She was a founding member of Beaver County’s chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Her list of awards and accolades are much too long to list here. After years of volunteer work, she accepted the Patient Advocate position at Mayview State Hospital.

Marjorie’s love of travel began when her daughter was a travel agent and then worked for a major airline. Marjorie & Barbara enjoyed many trips together, including Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe.

After Marjorie’s husband Bob passed away in 1993, she joined the Christian Singles Association where she made many new friends, including Mary Ann Jones. Mary Ann was also suffering from the recent loss of her husband and the two ladies became life-long best friends.

After Barbara moved to Texas and got married, Marjorie needed to find a new travel partner…and Mary Ann was happy to oblige! Over the years, Marjorie and Mary Ann took many amazing trips together. Destinations and adventures included climbing the Great Wall in China, sled riding on sand dunes in Tahiti, African safari in Kenya – including a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, cruising down the Nile River in Egypt and getting their hands done in henna, swimming with the dolphins in Mexico, climbing to Masada, Israel and floating in the Dead Sea, touring St. Petersburg, Russia, cruising the Blue Danube river in Europe, touring the ruins of Pompeii, Italy, touring the Holocaust Museum in Berlin, Germany and the Auschwitz concentration camps.

Marjorie worked at Mayview State Hospital for over twenty years, until the hospital closed and then she decided it was time to retire. Marjorie moved to Arlington, Texas in December 2008, to be near her daughter, Barbara and son-in-law, Ebrahim, and grandchildren Sarah and Bijan. Also, her best friend of over twenty years, Mary Ann, had already moved to Texas, also to live near her daughter.

Marjorie continued to enjoy traveling in her retirement. She snorkeled Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, cruised South America’s west coast, and during an Asian cruise ended up having emergency surgery in China!

Another favorite pastime that Marjorie enjoyed, along with her daughter Barbara, was researching her family history and genealogy. Mother and Daughter explored their heritage further with an 18 day trip to Ireland in 2018. They visited the tiny church where Marjorie’s great, great grandparents were married in 1843!

Marjorie will also be remembered for her love of interior decorating and her famous peanut butter pies. Marjorie enjoyed her “grandma” status with Ebrahim and Barbara’s many Persian family and friends.

Marjorie is survived by her sister, Dorothy Rogers (and her husband Duane) of Dublin Ohio, her son James Reilly (and his wife Terry) of Pompano Beach, Florida, her daughter Barbara Niakan (and her husband Ebrahim) of Arlington Texas, her daughter Sharon Reilly of Beaver Falls, Pennyslvania, and her grandchildren Sarah Niakan and Bijan Niakan of Arlington Texas and Chris Fowler of Pompano Beach, Florida. She is also survived by her step children, Darren Kerns of Oakland Township, Michigan, Doris Kerns and Robert Kerns of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and niece Susan Cochlan of Hinsdale, Illinois and nephew Todd Rogers of Columbus, Ohio, and many dear friends and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Sunday December 16 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at the Green Oaks (Wedding) Chapel at 4115 SW Green Oaks, Arlington, Texas 76017