Obituary of Ann Kiefer

Westerlo—Ann Madeline Kiefer, 88, of Westerlo passed away into the light of heaven on December 16, 2016. She was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2000. She was born on July 17, 1928 in the Bronx. She was the daughter of William and Helen Neuberger and the sister of deceased Catherine, Florence, Mabel, William and her brother in law Eugene Kiefer. She is survived by her sister of 96 years Marge, her cousin Wally, and sister in law Janet Kiefer. Ann grew up with her sisters and brother in the Bronx. Like her sisters she worked for the phone company until traveling to the Catskills in the early 50's. While on vacation she met Joe Kiefer and fell deeply in love. They married in the Bronx and after the birth of their first child Joann, moved to Westerlo to start a family farm and raise their children. Ann was a founding member of the St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church Rosary Altar Society and was a devout parishioner. She read her daily prayers each morning and lived a life of faith. Ann's life was committed to her family, children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Survivors include her eldest daughter, Joann Marnell and her husband, Joe, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and their children Patrick Marnell (Melissa) and Colleen Breen (Jim) and grandchildren Sheamus and Nolan Breen; her son Joseph and his wife, Amy, of Montpelier, Vermont, and granddogs Chester and Molly; her daughter Louise Karzynow and her husband, Shura, of Defiance, Ohio, and their daughters Nicole Hancock (Rod) and Megan Jacques (Jared) and grandchildren Baeden, Parker, and Beckett Hancock and Eli and Ellie Jacques; her son Tom of Westerlo, and his children Maureen, Brian, and Kevin Kiefer; her son Jim and his wife, Julie, of Middlesex, Vermont, and granddogs Katy and Rudy; and her son Bill and his wife, Eileen, of East Durham, and their daughter Mackenzie Kiefer. She loved all her dear friends, too many to mention, and the bus rides they took each week to shop, eat and be together. She cherished these relationships as they all became part of her family, especially Mary, Millie, Chuckie and the Mistler family. We are thankful to St. Peter's Hospital and the Pines Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Catskill for their kindness and care of our Mother in her final months. Ann had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need with whatever she could. Every week she gave a food donation to the church food pantry. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or thank you card. She loved most when her whole family gathered as they did for her 87th birthday and wished that her children will always be close and remain together. Calling hours will be held at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville on Wednesday, December 21st from 4-7 PM and a Christian Burial Mass and Funeral on Thursday, December 22nd at St. John's beginning at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Rosary Altar Society or to the American Cancer Society.