Mary Virginia Kerr, 101, of Baldwinsville, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2020 at the Syracuse Home. Born March 29, 1919, in Auburn, she was the daughter of Leicester and Antoinette Mayer Sawyer and was a graduate of Auburn High School Class of 1936. Virginia was married to Canby Kerr. She met Canby on May 31, 1941, they were engaged eight weeks later and married eight weeks after that. It was truly love at first sight. Virtually all family summers were spent in the Adirondack Mountains. The first several years at Eight Lake, then many at Pine Lake, and finally at a cottage on Blue Mountain Lake. For 15 years, Virginia and Canby loved spending their summers on Blue Mountain Lake. So much, that after Canby passed away in 1987, Virginia continued to summer there, inviting many friends and family to join her. It became her home away from home. Virginia was an active parishioner of Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. For many years, she worked at the Rectory there, joined several of their clubs and loved being a member of the choir. Virginia lived a long and wonderful life, and never wanted anything more than the best for her family and all of her friends. She will be truly missed. She is survived by two children, Toni Bowman of Baldwinsville and David (Dolores) Kerr of Reston, VA; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. Virginia was predeceased by two sons, James and Peter Kerr; and two brothers, Les and Robert Sawyer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 13 at 11 am at Holy Cross Church, DeWitt for both her and her son, Peter who passed away July 25, 2020. Entombment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, DeWitt. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider Holy Cross Church, 4112 E. Genesee Street, DeWitt, NY 13214. Arrangements are with Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, 2020.