Grisella H. Kerr

September 4, 2011 

THOUSAND ISLAND PARK, N.Y.  —  Grisella H. “Zell” Kerr, 84, of Coast Avenue, Thousand Island Park, and Lindley Avenue, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, died Friday, Sept. 2, at her summer home at Thousand Island Park while under the care of her family and Hospice of Jefferson County. 

Born Feb. 15, 1927, in New York City, the daughter of Gertrude Earnshaw and John Howe Hall, she graduated from Hannah More Academy, Reisterstown, Md., and Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., with a degree in chemistry. 

She met her future husband, James T. “Jim” Kerr, in 1947 at Thousand Island Park. She continued to visit the area every summer and was a full time summer resident for the last 25 years. She married Jim in 1951. He died in 1998. 

Zell was employed with SmithKline French in New Jersey as a chemist and was a partner with her husband in their laundromat business from 1962 to 1992. Despite strong encouragement from her parents and in-laws to continue working after her children were born, she decided to remain in her home to raise her family. 

As an avid bird and wildflower enthusiast, she was a member of several Audubon groups and The Nature Conservancy and participated in their first project preserving the Mianus River Gorge in Connecticut.  She served on Thousand Island Park Preservation Board from 1998 to 2008, was a life long member and substantial benefactor of the Perkins School For the Blind in Boston, Mass., an active supporter of local public libraries, and an early member of Save the River.  She was also a member of the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) and was committed to maintaining open space along the St. Lawrence River for birds and wildlife.   

Zell swam daily, frequently kayaked and enjoyed motor boating.  She was vital and active. Since 1982, she participated in various walking groups, completing several miles daily. 

Survivors include three daughters, Carrie Kerr and her husband, Dick Warner, Willseyville, Meg Kerr and her husband, Bob Vanderslice, North Kingstown, RI and Jean Kerr and her husband, Stewart Dutfield, Catskill; a sister, Maud Fluchere, Newport, PA; and nine grandchildren, Gabriel Kerr, Jessie Kerr-Vanderslice, Jesse Warner, Frank Warner, Rita Kerr-Vanderslice, Tom Kerr-Vanderslice, Cody Vincent, Samantha Kerr-Vanderslice and Clayton Dutfield. 

A sister, Peg McRory, and two brothers, Dave and John Hall, all died before her. 

A celebration of life will be held Columbus Day weekend at Thousand Island Park.

Arrangements are with Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Inc., Theresa. 

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 677, Watertown, NY, 13601. 

Condolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com.

Information provided by Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Inc. and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.