Sarah "Sally" M. Kerr

Dr. Sarah "Sally" MacLennan Kerr (O.C. '61) of Oberlin passed away on Sunday, July 9th, 2017. A fourth-generation female graduate of Oberlin College, she received Master's degrees from Stanford University and the University of Chicago, completing her PhD at Chicago in 1972. After a trail-blazing career as a geographer, writer, and editor, Sally retired to Oberlin, becoming an active member and clerk of the executive council at First Church in Oberlin. She was recognized as the 2002 Volunteer of the Year at the Oberlin Heritage Center for her work on the O.H.I.O Gazette and the Westwood Cemetery project. In 2011, Sally received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Alumni Association of Oberlin College for outstanding service to her 50th reunion committee. She is survived by her daughters Melanie L. Matero (x O.C. '85) and Camille M. Breeze (O.C. '91), her life partner Charles Dial (O.C. '61), her brother John Austin Kerr Jr., three grand children, and three great-grand children. Graveside services will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, July 19th, at Westwood Cemetery, 455 Morgan Street, Oberlin. A memorial service and reception will begin at 11 at First Church, 106 N. Main Street, Oberlin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Endowment for Heritage Preservation at the Oberlin Heritage Center.

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