Marilyn Ruth Kearns

Marilyn Ruth Kearns, age 83, died in Durham on March 18, 2025. She was born on December 10, 1941 to the late Robert William Metzger and Ruth Gibbons Metzger in Fulton, New York.

Marilyn spent her childhood in Constantia, New York, on a small family farm surrounded by animals, including her beloved horse Snowball. A graduate of the Convent School in Syracuse, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, and a master’s degree in math education from Syracuse University.

Marilyn spent two years in Sierra Leone working as a teacher with the Peace Corps. It was a truly formative experience which aligned with her generous and courageous spirit, and predicted a lifetime devoted to service to others.

Marilyn met her husband, Philip Kearns, at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, where they both worked. Every several years after they married, IBM moved Phil to different locations, finally settling in Chapel Hill in 1990. After more than a decade away from her career to raise her young children, she returned to work as a Media Center Assistant at Chapel Hill High School, where she remained until retirement.

Marilyn was an active member of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church. She volunteered extensively with several ministries at the church, deeply valuing her roles as a Eucharistic minister and a coordinator for the Caring and Sharing Center, along with her membership in the Women’s Group and the Catholic Daughters.

Marilyn is survived by her three children Daniel Kearns (Chasidy), Robert Kearns, and Kathryn Kearns (Kevin Bunn), and four grandchildren Aidan, Tanner, Ethan, and Simon. Marilyn is also survived by her brother John Metzger (Joy). Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Philip Joseph Kearns, her parents, and her brothers Robert George Metzger and David James Metzger.

The family would like to thank Rockbridge Senior Care Home for their loving and attentive care. Marilyn was treated like a member of their family.

The family also thanks Transitions LifeCare for their compassionate and gentle care of Marilyn for the last few months.

Hall-Wynne (1113 West Main Street, Durham) will host the visitation with the family on Wednesday, March 26 from 6 pm to 8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Thomas More (940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill) on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:30 am.

The Kearns family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.