Margaret R. Kerr, age 89, of Fairport, New York, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026.
Margaret was born on August 28, 1936, in Peterborough, Ontario, where she was raised with her four siblings. Her early years were shaped by family, faith, and hard work. As a young woman, she held jobs as a soda jerk at Cuppy’s Ice Cream Shop and in the sheet metal stamping department at General Electric. She also grew up attending the Salvation Army church with her family, an experience that planted the seeds of faith and service that would guide the course of her life.
As a young adult, Margaret became deeply involved in the Salvation Army. She shared her musical talents as a pianist for the Singing Company and was a member of the xylophone and timbrel party. In 1956, she enrolled in the Salvation Army Training College for Officers, taking an important step toward a life devoted to ministry. It was there that she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Kerr. They were married on June 19, 1959, beginning a partnership grounded in faith, service, and devotion to others. Together they served in the Salvation Army for 13 years.
Margaret and Bill later moved with their three young children, David, Peter, and Julie, to Rochester, New York, where Bill worked alongside his brother, Ralph Kerr, at the Christian Bookstore. In the early 1970s, Margaret embraced another calling when Bill was ordained as a minister, stepping into the role of a pastor’s wife with grace and dedication. This new chapter also fulfilled her dream of living on Church Street in Fairport, New York.
Margaret’s own path in education began after moving to the United States with only an eighth-grade education. Determined to continue learning, she earned her GED and began working as a lunchroom aide at School 16. What began as a small step soon sparked a lifelong passion for education. Through perseverance and hard work, she went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nazareth College. Of all her roles in education, she found her greatest joy as a special education teacher at the BOCES Rush Campus, where she touched the lives of students with patience, compassion, and encouragement.
Family remained at the center of Margaret’s life. She was the matriarch of a family that included her son David and wife Bonnie; her son Peter and wife Nicole and their children, William and Tavish; and her daughter Julie and husband Christopher and their children, Maddi, Jake, Kyle, and Alex. One of Margaret’s most cherished traditions was Christmas Eve dinner, when the family gathered to enjoy her mother’s spare rib recipe before attending Christmas Eve service together. She also had a green thumb and took great pride in tending her flower gardens and raspberry bushes. Each year she made batches of homemade raspberry jam, a gift reserved for those lucky enough to receive a jar.
In retirement, Margaret and Bill shared a love of travel and explored much of the world together. After Bill moved to heaven, Margaret continued that spirit of adventure, embarking on many cruises and embracing new experiences. Her faith remained a constant in her life, and she continued to serve God through active involvement in her church, attending weekly Bible studies and participating in prison ministry. She was also an active member of the Fairport Rotary Club, where she formed many meaningful friendships and valued the opportunity to serve and connect with others in the community.
Another joy in Margaret’s later years was her devotion to the Rochester Americans hockey team. The Amerks became something of an extended family to her, bringing renewed energy and connection after Bill’s passing. She rarely missed a home game and attended faithfully until 2024, becoming something of an unofficial (and self-appointed) player relations ambassador as she formed friendships with players’ families, wives, and girlfriends.
Margaret remained independent well into her later years, maintaining her strength and spirit.
Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend William Kerr, and David’s wife Bonnie Kerr. She is survived by her children David Kerr, Peter (Nicole) Kerr, and Julie (Chris) Wood; her grandchildren Maddi (Luke) Abbott, Jake (Amanda) Grossman, William Kerr, and Tavish Kerr; her bonus grandchildren Kyle (Ashleigh) Wood and Alex (Jamie) Wood; and her bonus great-grandchildren Logan, Charleigh, and Hudson Wood.
Margaret leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, perseverance, humor, and love for her family that will continue to live on in all who knew her.
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” – Matthew 25:21
Promoted to Glory on March 5, 2026.
Special thanks to the Episcopal Church Home staff for their compassionate care.
Callings hours will be held on Monday, March 9, from 4 pm to 6 pm, at Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt location). Celebration of life will be on Tuesday, March 10, at 11 am at Perinton Community Church (636 High Street Ext, Fairport, NY, 14450).
20 responses to “Kerr, Margaret R”
We will miss you very much, hope your new life with dad and Bonnie and others will be great.
Love ur #1 son from Florida.
So many wonderful memories of Marg. I’m grateful and blessed to have had her in my life, even though I haven’t seen her in years. I suspect she and Bill haven’t stopped hugging each other since her arrival.
Hi Julie, Nancy Reed sent up this. I am so sorry for you all in the passing of your dear mom but so happy for her!! I do hope she did not suffer too much or too long. I was sad when my Cmas card came back this year but did not know how to reach you..
Would love to hear about your life and family, etc.
We will always cherish our times at Raymond as newlyweds and remember fondly you spending the night when us when your folks were gone July 1981 and me spending the night with your folks when I was scared to be alone when Phil was traveling for business!!!! Oh what great memories.
And I do hope your mom has had her heart to heart with St. Paul b/c she told me she would b/c of his stance on women, etc.!!!
She was so funny and so loving and caring and always had us over to her lovely Church street house when we traveled back to Fairport from Colorado with our little girls for Phil to work at Kodak.
Thanks for sharing your momma. Love you.
Deepest sympathy to everyone in the promotion to glory of Auntie Margie. Keeping cousins David, Peter, Julie and your families in my thoughts and prayers. With regret, I am unable to make the drive from Canada to attend. May her memory being a blessing to us all. Jeff
I loved meeting Marg a few years ago in my Community Bible Study group. Such a wise and loving woman. My condolences to all of her family.
Very much enjoyed Mrs. Kerr’s sense of humor. She had a firm belief that every one of her students was capable of learning and creating a positive environment for themselves. Whenever Mrs. Kerr spoke everyone listened, she quietly demanded respect. I recall when she brought Maddi and Jake down to the livestock barn to see the sheep. After she retired we would lunch together when she wasn’t off on a trip.
My condolences to Mrs Kerr family. She was my teacher at rush campus. She made the academic part of school interesting. She was Stearn an you did what she wanted you to do. With me she had the patients of a saint I was not an easy young lady I didnt listen I did what I wanted to do an didnt care. Mrs Kerr sat me down one day an told me this is enough you will do your work an do what I ask of you. I gain alot of respect for her after that. She was a great lady.
We know how much you loved her, Maddi. Til you meet again, we hope you feel her so close to you. She is truly next to you always.
Big hugs to everyone. RIP, Gran.
Love, Chris, Rachel, Bennett and Libby.
I worked with Mrs. Kerr at Rush Campus as her teacher’s aide for many years until she retired. She was so caring, kind and had incredible wisdom not only to the students but to everyone. She touched these students in ways that I believe made a huge and positive difference in their lives. God bless you Mrs. Kerr… Your Wings are GOLDEN. Thanks for being in my Life.
Such an amazing lady. Befriended me when Art & I started attending the Fairport Community Church, which we later joined. ‘Willed’ me many beautiful plants & shrubs that she made sure I knew how to take care of. Tea at her lovely home: priceless. The world is more loving, embracing, & compassionate because of our Marg.
With Thankfulness,
Arlette
My most sincere condolences, Love & Hugs for all the Kerr & extended family. I first met Marg over 50 years ago when Bill became Pastor at the Raymond Memorial Baptist Church… so many memories of Marg & Bill & the church family there, I miss those days & everyone there.
Rest in Peace Marg,
Love,
Marie Heerkens
Working with Marg was a great pleasure! She demanded respect from her students and received it without being questioned! Each student trusted her and loved learning from her. When my husband and I were planning our wedding, Marg and her husband, Rev. Bill Kerr, were instrumental in providing us with the spiritual guidance we needed. Rev. Kerr performed our ceremony and we loved them both so much. Fly high, Marg…
A kind and lovely woman. We give thanks to God for the gift of Margaret’s life. I first met her in December 1989, when I preached at their church. She & Bill were great folk!!
Your sojourn at the Meadows and the South Presbyterian Church was a burst of Spirit.
Julie and family- sending you all love during a very difficult time. What a beautiful lady! A full life and a life that deserves to be celebrated.
My thoughts are with the entire family, many great memories on Chemong Lake!!
I had the pleasure of working with Margaret at Rush Campus. My classroom was across the hall from hers. The Margaret I remember ran a tight ship, but with compassion and respect. Students knew that she cared about their wellbeing, but there was always the expectation that you were there to learn. In the end I can only say she made the world a better place.
I’m so grateful for Auntie Margie – for many great memories – and for the support that she showed to me in so many ways and in so many situations.
Hi Julie and the Kerr family. Nancy Reed also shared the news with me. I am so sorry to hear of Marg’s passing. May God continue to comfort the family in your grief. It was a pleasure getting to your parents when we made Raymond our church family. 🙏🏽❤️🩹
O would like to extend my condolences to the Kerr family for your loss.
I first met your mother 20 years ago when I moved into the house at 12 Church Street. I took the apartment on the first floor, where I redided for almost 17 yrs.
I remember this lady with frizzy hair and big eyes knocking on the door the first week I was there. I thought she might be welcoming me to the neighborhood, I soon found out the nature of her call when she invited herself in and proceeded to fill me in on ‘her’ home with Bill and the kids. I was quite intimidated by her and stayed that way most of our relationships. She was actually an inspiration to me once I became a Christian at FCBC(RAYMOND Memorial, now Greystone).
I learned more about the importance of order and respect of the precedence set before you from her, which caused me to pause and ask “WWMD”? (What Would Marg Do), which helped me make better decisions and cut down on the number of corrective conversations had through me screen door.
She also taught me the importance of studying God’s word, love or family, and was a tireless servant to our Lord and community.
Many laughs were had, we both had a love for children, gardens, and God’s word.
When I arrived at FCBC Pastor Kerr was no longer Pastor there, but often I would run into him on his walks as he cut through the parking lot. He always stopped to say hello and “plant seeds” from the Lord. Which later were nurtured by the congrigation and Marg after he left. What a gentle giant and I understood the deep love they had for each other as the years went by. Marg set the bar very high and she strived to attain the goals of God for her everyday. Thank you for being a good and faithful servant of the Lord.