Kerry Anne McErlean

On October 5, 2023, Kerry Anne McErlean (née Murray) passed away surrounded by her children, Thomas, Katherine (Josh Shaffer), Andrew (Erica Kempler), and Elizabeth (Justin Fox) after a long battle with heart disease. She is survived by her children, grandchildren Liam and June, sister Kim Gimblette, sister-in-law Eileen McErlean Keve, and her niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas McErlean Jr., parents Andrew and Mary Murray, brother Kip Murray, and sister Kristen DeMilt.

Kerry was born on February 17, 1949 in Montreal, Canada and raised in Forest Hills, New York City. She attended Sacred Heart School of Montreal for high school before attending Dunbarton College in Washington D.C. in 1966. In her freshman year, she met her future husband, Tom, at a Dunbarton College and Georgetown University mixer before marrying in 1971. They raised their family in Columbia, MD where they lived for over 35 years as part of the Longfellow neighborhood. Kerry happily spent her last ten years in Ellicott City and Frederick, Maryland, where she made many wonderful friends.

Kerry showed her family and friends unconditional love and optimism. She had a generous spirit and true zest for life. She was a proud mother and grandmother, telling everyone she met about Liam and June. An avid music lover, Kerry was a true supporter of the local bluegrass community and never missed an opportunity to see a live show. Some of her fondest memories were made at the beach, where she loved taking in sunrises and sunsets. Kerry loved to travel, whether it be a spontaneous road trip or trans-Atlantic cruise. A “second mom” to many of her children’s friends and a social butterfly, she made friends easily and often. Kerry will be dearly missed by so many.

We encourage those wanting to celebrate her life to have a crab cake and a milkshake in her honor.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 26 at two o’clock at The Shrine of St. Anthony, 12290 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, 3480 Saint Johns Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Kerry’s name to the National Aquarium of Baltimore, Maryland.

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