Obituary: Katherine Marie "Katie" Kernan

Katherine Marie ‘Katie’ Kernan lost her courageous battle with brain cancer on Saturday. She was only 19 years old.

Katie was an inspiration to all of her Moorestown teammates, friends and family. She spent six years on the South Jersey Select Lacrosse Club. 

The Moorestown High School girls Lacrosse wore orange shoe laces at the State Championships in honor of Katie.  The boys swim team hosted a Swim-a-Thon to raise money for “Karing for Katie”. 

“Katie was my inspiration to do my best everyday, to live everyday like it may be my last and to never look back and wish i did anything differently," said Matt Schaeffer, Katie’s cousin.

Katie is survived by parents Sharon and Michael Kernan, sister Bridget and brothers Michael, William and Patrick.

Friends and relatives can pay their respects Wednesday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes Church on 40 Jackson Road in Medford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday morning at 10:30 at the church. A private burial for family members will be held following the Mass.

Contributions can be made to Karing for Katie, 4 Hampshire Way, Medford, NJ 08055. A single donation will be made on Aug. 1 for the benefit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Jersey.