It is with immense sorrow that we announce the passing of Regina Kernan (née Atwell), fondly known as Jean, on November 19, 2023. Born on January 2, 1943, Jean's compassion, strength, and warmth touched all around her, leaving a legacy of love and care.

Jean is survived by her loving family. Her children, Kelly Kernan, Cheryl Sandford, PhD., Richard Kernan, and Mike Kernan, as well as her daughters-in-law, Beth Goodman and Michelle Yang, knew the depth of her love and devotion. Her legacy also continues with her granddaughters, Keelin Kernan, Beth Marso, and Laura Burns, and her ex-husband, Francis Kernan Jr. Her sisters, Mary Prince, Diana, and Patricia share in the grief of losing a cherished sibling.

Jean's faith was an integral part of her life, regularly attending and finding solace in the Conversation Church. She was also known for her community service, generously volunteering at Saint Clement food pantry.

Jean had a vibrancy for life that shone through her many interests. She was an avid reader, her favorites including Nora Roberts' romance novels, Nero Wolfe mysteries, The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, and The Swiss Family Robinson. A fan of Frank Sinatra, ShaNaNa, and Elvis, her music taste was timeless. TV Shows such as Nero Wolfe, Ellery Queen, Mastercraft, and anything by Gordon Ramsay were her favorite pastime. Movie nights often featured The Eloise movies or Christmas with the Kranks.

As an ardent sports enthusiast, Jean cheered for The New England Patriots and The Baltimore Orioles. In quieter moments, she enjoyed games of Scrabble and Solitaire. Performances of The Sound of Music were a joy to her. Cooking, crafting, and swimming were her favorite recreational activities, keeping her forever young at heart.

Jean found sheer joy in everyday pleasures, like savoring her favorite foods such as plain salted potato chips, toast and over easy eggs, sausage gravy with biscuits, and seafood. Her preferred drinks were Coca-Cola Zero and Turkey Hill Eggnog.

Her accomplishments were many, notably running a daycare in Dover, Delaware, but her greatest was perhaps the love and care she provided, being the woman who cared for us all. Her favorite vacation spots were Orlando, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. She had a particular fondness for the colors blue and white.

Jean will always be remembered as the one who loved deeply, lived passionately, and cared boundlessly. Her presence will be profoundly missed, yet her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she loved.

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