Lydia Kerns

1918 - 2014

SALINAS – Lydia Kerns passed away January 2, 2014 at the age of 95. She was born on January 31, 1918 in Gonzales, California to Hans and Anna Schellhaas. She was a lifelong resident of the Salinas Valley and graduated from Gonzales High School and then Salinas Junior College in 1938. That same year she married Norman Kerns who preceded her in death in 1983.
Lydia retired from her position as Monterey County Court Clerk 35 years ago. She then worked as an office manager at Bray and O'daly until her final job as receptionist and bookkeeper for the law offices of Theodore H. Cominos. She retired in 2010. She was a member of the Monterey County Employees Association, the Rebekah Lodge, and the Swiss Rifle Club.
Lydia was intelligent, kind, generous, and hardworking. She loved people and had a zest for life that made her a great role model. Working in her garden and mowing her lawn with a push mower well into her 80s inspired everyone who knew her. She enjoyed reading, baking, and traveling with her family to Europe, especially Switzerland, for a special family reunion.
She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and former co-workers. Her family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Villa Serra and Memory Care Unit for the compassionate care and support they provided for Lydia and her family.
She is survived by three daughters, Pat Willingham, Norma Zermeno, (Ernie), Janet Bradley, (Steve); seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Schellhaas; and many nieces and nephews.
At her request there will be no services. An Open House for friends and family will be held on January 9, 2014 from 4:00-6:00pm at 539 San Vincente Circle in Salinas.
Funeral arrangements are by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. To offer online condolences, go to: wwwstruveandlaporte.com.