Marianne Purnell Kernan

1947 - 2025

It is with profound sadness that the family of Marianne Purnell Kernan, age 77, announces her passing on April 24, 2025, at Moore Regional hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Washington DC on November 13, 1947, to Irving and Mary Purnell. She is preceded in death by stepsister Beth Swink and brothers, James and Michael Purnell. Marianne is survived by her husband, General William F. "Buck" Kernan, ret., and son William Keith Kernan, siblings Thomas C. Purnell (Woodbridge, VA) and John Purnell (Pinehurst). She maintained relationships with her siblings and in-laws, all her nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout her entire life.

Marianne was a devoted Army wife of 37 years, traveling the globe in support of her husband's career. She moved 22 times in 20 years. They had assignments in such places as England, where he was U.S. Exchange Officer representing the 82nd Airborne Division to the British Parachute Regiment, where Marianne was first lady to the company's families during Britain's Falklands war, and years later, as exceptionally supportive military spouse when Buck was appointed to NATO. He assumed the positions of US Joint Forces Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.

Marianne was a natural leader and enthusiastically embraced her role at each location. True to form, she found opportunities to leave things better than they were when she arrived at each location. For example, FORCES COMMAND awarded her the Commander's Award for her "shining example of selfless service and dedication to Fort Campbell, Kentucky," recognizing her fundraising success for an "important event which raised more money for charity and scholarships than at any other time," also saying "Mrs. Kernan's contributions will continue to enhance the quality of life for all of Fort Campbell for years to come. Her efforts are in keeping with the finest traditions of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and reflect great credit upon her, Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell FORCES COMMAND, and the United States Army."
Upon the couple's retirement from active military duty, Marianne found her new passion. She discovered the shortcomings in the mental health system in North Carolina as she searched for acceptable supervised group living for her adult son, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The options were inadequate. Group homes were few and sadly lacking in support systems. She imagined something much better.

Marianne had joined NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, volunteering as Treasurer, Vice President, and President. She taught NAMI's Family to Family courses and Mental Health Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement personnel. Marianne sought to bring awareness and help reduce stigma about people suffering with severe, persistent, and debilitating mental illness. She and other NAMI members created local events to help reduce stigma. The annual Pathway to Awareness weekends included NAMI walks and featured well known speakers. Some had experienced mental illness themselves. Others understand the helpless feeling of watching their whole families hurt as a loved one suffers through episodes of severe and unrelenting depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, and another brain illnesses.
Pete Earley, former Washington Post investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist, author of the book CRAZY, (which refers to the mental health system in our country), spoke about his son's first bipolar episode at college. Actress Patty Duke spoke of her own experience and how much her bipolar episodes hurt her son. Actor Joe Pantoliano spoke of his personal experience, and an educator whose husband tried to commit suicide by jumping from a hospital window shared her family's devastating experience and their road back together.

Marianne decided to do something about the need for appropriate housing for adults with mental illness. With the support of many, she founded the Linden Lodge Foundation and purchased a home where residents live as a family, have household responsibilities and opportunities for growth and fun, have part time and volunteer jobs or study for degrees.

Many Pinehurst area residents enjoyed meeting golf personality David Feherty several years in a row as he spoke about his own bipolar depression and struggle with alcoholism and other addictions, making his escapades sound funny while driving home the message that he needed help and requires ongoing support for these terrible illnesses. These and other fundraising events spearheaded by Marianne Kernan, helped by dear friends and family over the years have kept Linden Lodge going.

A motto Marianne followed was anthropologist Margaret Mead's saying, "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." She proved it by establishing the Linden Lodge Foundation, an organization that accepts no government funds, relying solely on the generosity of others through volunteering and donations.
For her devotion to this, and her hard work, Marianne earned many awards. They included the NAMI North Carolina Advocate of the Year and national recognition when selected as a Most Impactful Player in Mental Health recipient in 2019.

But most of all, she had a very real impact on people in our community, providing not just a roof over their heads, but a good quality of life. Most of the residents, without this, might be living on the street. They have Marianne Kernan to thank for her constant energetic, kind, fun-loving devotion.

Marianne, we are inspired by you and will forever carry your memory in our hearts.

Memorial services will be held May 24, 2025, at 11:00am, at Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Linden Lodge Foundation, 2251 Linden Road, Aberdeen, NC 28315 or by calling 910-295-0600. Also, we also accept Venmo and credit cards. Linden Lodge Foundation is a 501(C)3 nonprofit.

Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.