Jacqueline Ehrman Kearns' Obituary
Jacqueline Ehrman Kearns, promoter of the arts, and widow of Thomas F. Kearns III, died on September 23 at Sunrise at Holladay assisted living center in Holladay, UT, of causes incident to age. She was 92.\r\n\r\nJackie was born March 22, 1926, in San Francisco, the only daughter of Lillian May Kahn and B. Charles Ehrman.\r\n\r\nShe attended Flintridge School for Girls in southern California, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1944.\r\n\r\nHer first marriage to Robert Greenhood ended in divorce. In 1963, she married Thomas F. Kearns III, retired vice president of Kearns-Tribune Corporation, former owner of The Salt Lake Tribune, and grandson of the late Sen. Thomas Kearns and the late Jennie Judge Kearns. He died in 1967.\r\n\r\nJackie was a member of the Hillsborough, CA, unit of the American Women's Voluntary Services, which provided support services to the community similar to the Red Cross during and after World War II.\r\n\r\nIn 1945, the founders of the United Nations cited her for "diligent and loyal work in the creation of the Charter of the United Nations."\r\n\r\nFor several decades beginning in the 1940s, Jackie was an active member of the de Young Museum Society Auxiliary in San Francisco, participating in fashion shows, planning auctions, and organizing other fundraisers.\r\n\r\nDuring the same period, she was a patron of the Peninsula Children's Theater Association in San Mateo, CA.\r\n\r\nJackie was a theater buff, and her interest in it was no doubt inspired by lifelong friendship with Danny Kaye, one of the great comedians of the last century. She loved classical music, and counted virtuosos Vladimir Horowitz, Nathan Milstein, and Yehudi Menuhin among her friends. Above all, she was devoted to opera. During her years on the West Coast, she was an ardent supporter of the San Francisco Opera, and good friend of the nationally prominent tenor, Walter Fredericks, as well as conductor and impresario, Walter Herbert.\r\n\r\nWith an eye for fashion, and impeccable taste, she was always beautifully attired.\r\n\r\nMany friends and former customers will fondly remember Needlepoint Unlimited, Jackie's stores in Foothill Village and Trolley Square.\r\n\r\nShe was an excellent tennis player and loyal fan, who pounded the courts regularly, and followed the sport on TV until late in life.\r\n\r\nAn avid reader with a lively mind, she was ready to greet most any subject - political or otherwise - with a strong opinion. Thoughtful in conversation, and unfailingly polite, she was that all too rare person who could disagree without being disagreeable.\r\n\r\nHer natural vitality and varied interests afforded her many close friends of all ages and backgrounds. She was a friend of fun, always ready to laugh, and quick to develop strong relationships. In her warm and generous company, family members, old friends, and casual acquaintances alike felt her selfless interest and attention.\r\n\r\nShe embraced Tom Kearns' children along with her own, offering them strict, but unqualified love and an array of experiences throughout their lives.\r\n\r\nTom Kearns was the love of her life. They met through his cousin, and one of Jackie's best friends, Sheila McCarthey O'Day Wood. Jackie spoke often and lovingly of her marriage to "Tommy." Their time together was a continual source of pride and inspiration.\r\n\r\nThe family would like to express gratitude to her many friends who provided love and support over the years, especially Donnetta Dellapenta, Clarence and Bill Bynum, Tracy Finn, Vicki Black, Lane Pellinger, Jan Bayle, and Eric Steur.\r\n\r\nJackie was preceded in death by her stepson Thomas F. Kearns IV.\r\n\r\nShe is survived by three daughters, Jane Terry Greenhood Nestel of Los Angeles, Judy Greenhood Gregory (Gary) of Eugene, OR, and Colleen Kearns McCann (Byron) of Seattle, WA; five stepchildren, Mary Kearns Coffron of Menlo Park, CA, Kathryn Kearns Gould (Chris) of Atherton, CA, Patricia Kearns Kehrer of Dillon, MT, Carol Kearns of Spokane, WA, and Michael J. Kearns (Miriam) of Salt Lake City; four grandchildren, Rachel Nestel Peck (Alan) of Agoura Hills, CA, Matthew Nestel (Christina) of Los Angeles, Wells Gregory of Seaside, OR, and Madeleine McCann of Seattle, as well as three great-grandchildren, Oscar Brotzman, and Lyric and Rhodes Nestel. Her sister-in-law, Genevieve Kearns Campbell (Chris) lives in Sandpoint, ID.\r\n\r\nA vigil service will be held on Sunday September 30, 2018 at 7p.m. at Neil O'Donnell & Sons Mortuary, 372 E. First South. Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Friends may call from 6pm to 8pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday October 1st at 11am at St. Ambrose Catholic Church 1975 S. 2300 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Committal follows immediately at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 4th Avenue and "T" Street. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Westminster College or the Humane Society of Utah.\r\n\r\n
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