Theresa Kern Lilley

Theresa Kern Lilley was born on April 18, 1931, in Cumberland, MD to Ellis Ellsworth and Mildred (Sours) Sullivan.  She was the oldest of three daughters.  They moved to Martinsburg, WV in the 1940’s.  Theresa met/married Paul H. Kern at her church in 1949.  Starting a family in 1950 with the birth of their daughter Paula Jeanne.  They moved to Bel Air, MD for Mr. Kern’s work and grew their family with the birth of sons Philip Harrison in 1962; and Daniel Ellis in 1963.  They moved again for Mr. Kern’s work to Bowie, MD in 1964 where she remained until her death.

After losing her first husband Paul Kern in 1988; she met/married Charles Eugene Lilley at her church in 1990.  They remained happily married until her death on December 30, 2021.  Mom battled Crohn’s Disease for 40+ years and more recently Alzheimer’s Disease.  Theresa was in a memory care center due to her advanced Alzheimer’s when she passed from complication of Alzheimer’s and injuries from a fall.

Theresa was predeceased by her first husband Paul H. Kern; parents Ellis & Mildred Sullivan; in-laws John & Myra (Blake) Kern; sisters Norma J. Hiller and Martha E. Hesidence; grandson Peter H. Nye; and son-in-law Michael Nye.  She is survived by current husband Charles Lilley; daughter Paula J. Demetriou (and Paul); sons Philip Kern, and Daniel Kern; several cousins/nieces/nephews/sibs-in-law.

Theresa worked as a dental assistant after high school until starting her family; then worked at a department store in Bowie after her children were raised.  She mostly was a homemaker/housewife and thrived when running her household.

As there will be no public service due to ongoing COVID cases spiking in the region, we would ask in lieu of flowers; a memorial donation/tribute in her name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ tribute donation.)