KERN, Beatrice, July 28, 1912 - July 9, 2003. She is survived by her husband, Murray Kern; her son, Iver Kern; her daughter Carolyn Kerlin; and her grandsons Aaron Kerlin and Jess Kerlin, and granddaughter Julie Kerlin.

She was born Beatrice Blum in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Brooklyn College, with a Bachelor of Arts in 1934, and she earned a Master of Science in Behavioral Science from Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1981, with specialization in gerontology. She was the organizer and first president of Local 400 of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers' Union. She was one of the founders of the Chaplain Aide program of Jewish Federation in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Chaplain Aide program of Jewish Family Service of San Jose.

For the last 27 years, she was active with her husband in performing Jewish religious services at retirement centers and skilled nursing facilities in both Florida and San Jose. In 1993, she and her husband received The Dr. Cal Lubran Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Jewish Community of San Jose. She was a Life Member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Joseph L. Morse Geriatric Center and the Jewish Home for the Aged of Palm Beach County.

She was a member of Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos, California, and a former member of Congregation Sinai in San Jose, California; Temple Beth El in Palm Beach, Fl; Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle, NY; and Congregation Sons of Israel in Brooklyn, NY. She was the daughter of Sarah and Isador Blum and the sister of Daniel Blum, Estelle Shakin, and Paul Blum.

Graveside services will be held at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, Ca, Friday, July 11, 2003 at 10am. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by WILLOW GLEN FUNERAL CHAPEL, San Jose, CA. Published in San Jose Mercury News on July 10, 2003