Kathern Marie Bell Gere
1931-2024
Kathern Marie Bell Gere, age 92, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Friday, March 15, 2024 at her home under the care of her caregivers, Joy and Dale Dailey and while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle.
Born May 25, 1931 in Cowen, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late William Bell and Wilma Mills Bell Criss.
She attended Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church. Kathern was a high school graduate.
Mrs. Gere worked in the advertising department with The Washington Post and retired after 20 years of service.
She was a member of Alderton-Dawson American Legion Auxiliary Unit #60 and the Morningside CEO’s, both of Berkeley Springs. Mrs. Gere enjoyed collecting teapots, glassware and watching her favorite television show, “Murder She Wrote.”
Kathern was survived by her children, Clara E. Brown, Catherine A. Williams, Jacquelyn P. Thomas and Ansel J. Gere III, one sister, Heretia “Jeanne” Kochniarczyk, seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ansel Jonathan Gere II on March 21, 2007 and her stepfather, John Criss.
Graveside services will be conducted on Thursday, March 21 at 1 p.m. at Greenway Cemetery, 284 Greenway Drive, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., with Chaplain Wayne Clark officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kathern’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Morgan County, PO Box 705, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 or to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.
