Obituary of Jean Mary Kernyo
Jean Mary Sweeney was born December 26, 1939, in Maybee, Michigan. She was the only daughter of four children born from the union of Gaylord and Lillian (Richmire) Sweeney. She graduated from Monroe High School with the class of 1958. Jean later went on to marry the love of her life, Leonard Kernyo, and the happy couple was blessed with the birth of three children. Born with a deep love of history and a passion for preserving the past, Jean went on to become a historian in her own right and was a founding member of the Exeter Historical Society, actively participating for many years.
One of Jean’s favorite pastimes was camping with her family. Beginning when her children were young, nearly every weekend from April to October was spent at a campground with her family and friends. She treasured this time with her family and created many lasting memories and nearly as many friendships. She and Leonard continued camping until September 2022, when failing health forced them to sell their trailer. She was the embodiment of serenity and the epitome of going with the flow. Her easygoing nature and preference for responding to questions with a simple "don't matter" offers a lesson for us all to emulate.
Jean was a woman who lived a fulfilling and creative life with a passion for baking and decorating cakes, which started in her home when she still a teenager. She was committed to perfecting her craft, and eventually, her cakes became so popular that she opened a cake shop, first in her home and then in Scofield. She was well known for her wedding cakes, which were as beautiful as they were delicious. Jean was such a talented baker that she made her own and her children's wedding cakes, which were described as some of the most beautiful cakes anyone had ever seen. A woman of many talents, Jean was always busy with something and rarely seemed to sit still. Baking, crafting, sewing, or crocheting kept her busy, and she often switched from one craft to another depending on her mood.
Jean's love language was definitely food. Her adult children and their families often enjoyed the pleasure of a call from her to come over and share a meal after she prepared "too much." Her family relayed that this was a way she could spend time with the people she loved and show them how much she cared. Jean's family enjoyed the fact that another of her love languages was spending time with family and friends. Nothing made Jean happier than time spent with those she loved and who loved her, and she truly enjoyed going out of her way to make sure they knew how much she cared about them. Every year, Jean baked Christmas cookies for her friends and family, and the number of cookies grew over the years. The last time she baked, Jean prepared roughly 40 trays of assorted home-baked sweets to give away - a true sign of her love of baking and of bringing joy to others through the magic of delicious food.
Jean Mary Kernyo, age 83, of Carleton, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday June 24, 2023. In addition to her passing, she is preceded by her husband: Leonard; and one brother: James Sweeney.
Left to cherish her memory, she leaves her three children: Leonard "Butch" (Jennifer) Kernyo, Cindy (Rock) Roberts, Kenneth (Tammy) Kernyo; nine grandchildren: Alexandria (Patrick) Harwood, Lindsay (Jake) Hoffman, Zachary (Holly Long) Kernyo, Amanda (Tony) Elling, Ed (Emily) Roberts, Ryan (Brea) Kernyo, Kyle (Summer Jackson) Kernyo, Karley (Daniel) Esper, Kiara Flynn; nine great grandchildren (number ten on the way); two brothers: Donald (Judy) Sweeney, Edward (Betty) Sweeney; and two sisters-in-law: Jerry Sweeney, Lona Guy.
Friends may gather on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. On Saturday July 1, 2023, Jean will lie in state from 10:00am until a Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00am at Divine Grace Parish; 2996 West Labo Road, Carleton, Michigan 48117. A procession will follow to Northside Cemetery in Maybee, Michigan for burial.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo.