Sophia C. Kern

Sophia C. Kern, 103, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 7, 2023, in Encino, Calif. She was born July 2, 1920, in Bishop, a daughter of the late John Joseph and Mary Malesic Nemonich. Sophia, affectionately called "Sophie" by those who knew and loved her, was a faithful member of St. Oscar Romero Catholic Church (St. Patrick Worship Site), where she was a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Christian Mothers Guild. During her childhood, Sophia lived across Pennsylvania before settling in Canonsburg in 1938 with her parents and siblings. She graduated from Cecil High School in 1938. Sophia was employed by RCA for 14 years; her last position was a secretary in the business office. On July 3, 1954, she married the late Richard J. Kern, and the couple moved to Borland Manor, which had been her home for the past 67 years. They were married for 55 years until his death August 22, 2009. Sophia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. Sophia enjoyed watching daily Mass, cheering on her beloved Steelers, bowling, keeping in touch with friends, listening and dancing to Slovenian polkas, volunteering at the nursing home, traveling (flying across the country until the age of 102), and spending time with her family. She was a member of SNPJ and was also active in various Catholic charities. Left behind to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Mary Ann Benthall of Williamsburg, Va., and Kristine Kern Irani, MD (Glenn) of Encino; five grandchildren, Heather Such (Scott) of Concord, N.C., Jaclyn Shipley (Brian) of Boone, N.C., Shannon Irani of Los Angeles, Calif., Richard B. Kern of North Carolina, and Jessica Kern of North Carolina; four great-grandchildren, Brady Such, Madeline Such, Emmaline Shipley and Franklin Shipley; as well as several nieces and cousins. In addition to her parents and her husband, Sophia was preceded in death by her son, Richard K. Kern; granddaughter, Megan Irani; and her siblings, Rudy Nemonich, Joseph Nemonich, Christine "Teenie" Nemonich, John Nemonich and Mary Nemonich Vardjan. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 15, in Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, LTD, 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, 724-746-1000, where departing prayers will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg. Interment will follow in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.sollon.com.