Charleston - Phoebe Frances Eisenberg Kerness, 79, wife of Jules Michael Kerness passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

Phoebe was born October 14, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of the late David Eisenberg and late Barbara DePoris Eisenberg. She graduated from Brooklyn College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology.

Phoebe spent 57 years of her life married to her best friend, Jules Kerness. She was a homemaker, caretaker, and educator. While raising her family in Delmar, NY, Phoebe was a daycare provider, a foster parent, was passionate about educating families, and was an involved member of Congregation Beth Emeth. After retiring to Savannah, GA, Phoebe was very active in Congregation Mickve Israel where she taught religious school, coordinated elder-hostels, co-chaired the temple museum committee, and served as a docent. Throughout her life, Phoebe showed her love for children, La Leche League, Reform Judaism, music, and theater.

Phoebe is survived by her husband, Jules Kerness, her sister, Vidabeth Bensen, her children, Jonathan Kerness, Karen Kerness, Debbi Kerness, and Marggi Shechanah, and her grandchildren, Ben Kerness, Jack Kerness, Eli Kerness, Micah Kerness, Tobin Kerness, Matan Berg, Noah Berg, Lior Berg, Leyla Wolf.

She was predeceased by her parents and her son, Daniel Kerness.

The family would like to express a huge thank you to the staff at the Shem Creek Health Center at South Bay in Mt. Pleasant, SC for the outstanding and compassionate care Phoebe received for the last year of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to the CDC Foundation's Crush COVID Campaign or a charity of one's choice.

A private graveside service was held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery in Charleston, SC. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Savannah Morning News November 25, 2020

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Savannah Morning News on Nov. 25, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Phoebe Kerness

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9 Entries

Sue Otwell

August 8, 2022

Phoebe was my La Leche League leader in Delmar, NY when our first child was born. Her kindness and wisdom were so appreciated during those first few months! I went on to become a leader myself in the Washington, DC area, but Phoebe was always my role model.

Roger and Pat Sutliff

December 1, 2020

Jules and family, we have fond memories of your family as next door neighbors and are saddened to hear of Phoebe's passing, May God be with you and keep you well. Roger and Pat

Amy Clift

November 28, 2020

I am a retired La Leche League leader. When I returned to my hometown Huntington, Long Island from 1987-1990 I started several much needed La LecheLeague groups there. Phoebe was living in Albany, NY at the time. I remember how welcoming she was to host a weekend training of HRE(Human Relations Enrichment) at her home. We all bonded over our common mission to help mothers breastfeed and learn gentle counseling and communication techniques for our roles as leaders, mothers and wives. Phoebe set the tone and modeled all the skills we were learning. She helped countless more people as we learned skills to help others.The overnight training turned into a fun pajama party! As a bonus, I met a fellow Jew who I admired greatly. My husband and I watched the funeral. It was very moving and seemed to describe so well the Phoebe I remember. I was very saddened to hear of her passing. It is a terrible loss to your family and to the community. May Phoebe's memory be for a blessing.

Peter C Brown Brown

November 27, 2020

Jules, Debbie and I were are very sorry to learn of Phoebe's death. She was a delightful person and we had some great times together. You must miss her greatly. Our deepest sympathy to your kids and you for her loss. We've not seen each other in some time, but the old friendship is still there. We hope you can take some minimal condolence from the support of your many friends, who will also miss her.
Debbie and Peter Brown

james botta

November 26, 2020

My wife Gail and I bought our house from Mr and Ms Kerness. Ms. Kerness and her husband were the kindess couple . They were generous and gracious during the whole event AND took us out for lunch after it was completed. Thank you for being a wonderful person and our condolence to the family.

Glenda E A Anderson

November 18, 2020

On behalf of the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council (GHRAC), we express our sympathy to the family of our respected colleague, and our appreciation for her devotion and many contributions to the History and Heritage Committee of Congregation Mickve Israel, Savannah, GA, and the collections of its Nancy and Lawrence Gutstein Museum.

Leah Gross

November 17, 2020

Jules I want to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife and friend. I was so to hear of her passing. Please know you are in my prayers. I only wish I had spent time with her. I really liked her a lot.

Diane Balog

November 16, 2020

What a sad day for all of us who knew Phoebe from the Albany, NY area. She was our LLL mother as she guided us with our new babies and led us into our parenting role. She was one of the first people I ever heard say she enjoyed her teenagers! She will be sorely missed, even though many of us have not seen her for some time. Her advice, warmth, knowledge, and love she shared throughout her life will live on through her family and certainly the rest of us who were lucky enough to have known her, if only a brief time on this earth. Rest in peace, Phoebe.

Anne Marie Miller

November 15, 2020

Phoebe was an amazing woman - passionate, caring, and knowledgeable. So many mothers and babies benefited from her passion for helping them through LLL. The memories of her are precious to all of us.

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