Marietta Kerr

1934 - 2025

Marietta Kerr

January 1, 1934 - April 3, 2025

Bluffton, South Carolina - Marietta Kerr died at her home in Bluffton SC on April 3, 2025. She was 91 years old. She is predeceased by her husband, Bill Kerr. They moved to Bluffton in 2009 after leaving New Britain CT where they lived, worked, and raised a family for 40 years. Sadly, Bill died shortly after they moved and Marietta, at age 75, had to create a new life alone.

And create, she did! She worked at Volunteers in Medicine; became active in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Low Country; was a member of the Liberal Ladies, the Democrats of Sun City, and the South of Broad Democratic Club. She made her voice heard on social justice issues, gun control, and opposition to book banning. But her home away from home was the Habitat for Humanity RE-Store. Through her volunteering, she made many close friends with other volunteers, staff, and repeat customers. They were like family to her, and she loved them very much.

Those who knew her through habitat and her other volunteer activities were touched by her friendship, kindness, generosity, and her strong spirit of helping others in need. She was a political activist and committed member of the progressive arm of the Democratic Party. She was strong and fierce, when necessary and continued to fly her "Black Lives Matter" flag, in Sun City despite losing a close friendship and receiving harsh words from other residents.

Marietta was born in Brighton, IL, a small farming community in southwestern IL. She met Bill at Southeast Missouri State and they began their married life in MO, then moving to New Britain CT in 1967. Her early life in New Britain CT was focused on raising her children and finishing her degree at age 40. She worked as a legal secretary, a paralegal, and a Victim Advocate for victims of family violence in the CT Court system. She and Bill opened their home for political fundraisers; worked in countless democratic campaigns; and added their voices on issues of social and economic injustice.

She was always the grounding force among her family and friends, and nothing was more important to her than loving them and spending time together.

While troubled with serious health issues this last year, she pushed forward; overcame countless setbacks; and lived a life of substance and grace she lived until she died. Her beautiful presence is now missed by so many.

Marietta is survived by her daughter Melanie Kerr of Windsor, CT; her son Martin (Mati) of Hilton Head SC; her brother Don Hermes (Darlene) of RI; her sister in law Carolyn Kerr of MO; grandchildren Olivia (Javier) Rivera; Wesley Kerr; Alex Simon; Holly (Griffin) Kerr; Lily (Brigham) Kerr; her great grandson, Julian Rivera; former son in law Al Simon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Low Country, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton SC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Habitat for Humanity RE-Store, PO Box 2747, Bluffton SC 29910.