Joan C (Cronin) Kiernan -- Newport

Joan C. Kiernan, 95 of Newport died Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at St. Clare’s Home. She was the wife of the late Hugh D. Kiernan. Born in New York, a daughter of the late David and Hannah (Mahoney) Cronin, she lived in Newport since 1981.

Mrs. Kiernan was a receptionist, secretary, and bookkeeper for various firms in New York City before becoming a homemaker, wife, and mother and settling in Riverdale (Bronx) New York. As a devoted parishioner of St Gabriel’s Church in Riverdale she was a stalwart member of the Ladies Guild and served as a volunteer for several community service projects including thrift shops in Riverdale and in Manhattan. Mrs. Kiernan also served as a polling place Captain for several election cycles in her home community.

In the early 1970’s she moved to North Windham, Maine, where she became an active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. From Maine, she moved first to Middletown and finally to Newport. She continued to be a daily communicant at St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Augustin’s parishes in Newport up until her failing health kept her home bound. Wherever she lived she became a constant friend to many and was especially known for visiting the sick and comforting those who grieved for lost loved ones. In short she provided a good example for all who knew her, she lived her faith, and she did her best to instill that faith in others.

Joan Kiernan is survived by her son Hugh D. Kiernan Jr. of Staten Island NY, her sister Rita Cronin of Newport, her daughters-in-law Mrs. Patricia Kiernan of Staten Island, NY and Mrs. Margaret (Livingstone) Kiernan of Newport; seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Hugh D. Kiernan and her son Christopher M. Kiernan of Newport. She was the sister of the late Mary, Patrick, Catherine, Theresa, Florence and John Cronin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 19, at 10a.m. at St Augustin Church, Carroll Avenue, Newport. Burial will be held on Tuesday, at 12 noon, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3-6pm in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the St. Clare Home, 309 Spring St., Newport, RI, 02840.

Reported: 07/15/10 (Show all obituaries for this day)

By: O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home (Show all obituaries and information about this funeral home)

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