Sara (Armstrong) McQuown Kerr, 101, of East Springfield, PA, and formerly of Commodore, PA, died Monday, June 11, 2018 at her daughter’s home, where she had made her home for the past six years.
The daughter of Ellis William and Daisy Dell (Donahey) Armstrong, she was born on July 29, 1916 in Green Twp., Indiana Co., PA. In a month she would have celebrated her 102nd birthday.
Sara attended the Green Township schools.
Beginning in her youth, she worshiped at the former Hazelet United Methodist Church until its closure when her membership was changed to the Purchase Line United Methodist Church.
Known for her vibrant personality, sense of fun and ready smile, Sara enjoyed being surrounded by her loving family. One of her interests was playing the piano and even into her 90’s she served as the pianist to the Arcadia Presbyterian Church vacation Bible school program.
Sara was a homemaker. Prior to her retirement in 1980, she had been employed for seventeen years first with Hamilton Fashions and then with King Leathers.
On October 16, 1933, Sara married Bernon V. “Lefty” McQuown and their family grew to include two children, Pat and Jim. Lefty died on October 17, 1960.
On July 6, 1971, Sara wed John C. Kerr and they shared over twenty years of marriage together until his death on January 24, 1991.
Sara is survived by her daughter, Patricia A. (McQuown) Woytek of East Springfield, PA; daughter-in-law, Phyllis J. (Blose) McQuown of Hillsdale, PA; nine grandchildren: Paula Shade (Neil); Patric Woytek (Bev); Pamela Lascek (Tom); Paul Michael Woytek (Trish Faulkner); Patricia Madden (Chris); Paige Hemmis (Jason); James McQuown (Dodie); Keith McQuown; Denise McQuown-Hatter (Rick Hatter); fifteen great grandchildren: Chris Starks; Adam (Erin) Starks; Kate Starks; Daniel Woytek (Shannon Marich); Leah Woytek; Alex Woytek; Andrew Madden; Sarah Madden; Max Hemmis; Brett (Shawna) McQuown; Craig McQuown; Justin (Kim) McQuown; Jordan (Sabrina) McQuown; Mitchell Hatter and Ian Hatter and nine great great grandchildren.
She will also be missed by her brother, Bill (Janet) Armstrong and many nieces and nephews.
Sara was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James A. McQuown, who died on June 13, 2012; son-in-law, Paul J. Woytek on Nov. 19, 2017; her husbands: Bernon “Lefty” McQuown and John C. Kerr; her brothers: Jack: Clair and Ort Armstrong; her sisters: Frances Buterbaugh; Mary Bagley and Ruth Keith and half sister, Gail Marsh.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA, where a 4:00 p.m. funeral service will immediately follow the visitation. Pastor Robert Sunseri will officiate. Interment will be at the Thompson Cemetery, Hillsdale, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be forwarded to Lakeland Hospice, 2221 Peninsula Dr., Erie, PA 16506 or to the charity of your choice.
