Alice M. Kerr, formerly of New Castle, passed away the evening of April 3, 2014 at her daughter's residence in Fairview, PA. Born in New Castle, PA, she was a daughter of Thomas W. (Murphy) Shaffer and May B. Doyle Shaffer.Alice is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, John Rea, grandson Karishma Rea, sisters Gladys Barnes Pape and Martha Maher, brother Chief Warrant Officer 2 Harry Shaffer and her second husband, Oliver ""Ron"" Kerr.She is survived by three daughters, Kay Rea of Bellingham, WA, Rita Foht and Charles of Fairview, PA, and Mary Jo Wilson and her husband James of New Wilmington, PA; two sons, James Kerr of New Castle, PA and David ""Nat"" Kerr of Memphis, TN; ten grandchildren, Kamira Rea, Charles Foht and his wife Colleen, Emily Foht and her husband Andrew Dimperio, Melinda Foht, Alexis Foht-Slater and her husband Brandon Slater, Meghan Cowart and her husband Joseph, Brittany Taylor and her husband Scott, Evan Wilson and his wife Rachel, Kendall Kerr and Anna Kerr; and five great-grandchildren, Felipe Rea, Kieran Foht, Liam Foht, Bode Dimperio and Colt Cowart.Alice married John Paul Rea in November of 1940. Together, they had two daughters.As a young housewife, she enjoying sewing, cooking, crocheting decorative doilies and knitting throws and blankets. She was an avid reader and read to her children daily. She was also very involved in the Presbyterian Church during that time, serving as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. She was an inspiration to her daughters as she started them on a religious and spiritual path at a young age that has continued throughout their lives.After Alice's husband John died suddenly as a young man in 1958, she went back to work. She took a refresher course in business while she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Fornataro. When she was approached in 1960 regarding an administrative position in the Presbyterian Church, she accepted enthusiastically. Combining her faith and a career, the position was a great fit for both her and the Church. She worked tirelessly for 23 years for both the Synod of Northwest Pennsylvania and the Presbyterian of Shenango. Alice always said, ""I love my work!"" She enjoyed the resource center at the church and was inspired while working with ministers and teachers on their research projects and papers. She was an active listener and helped many ministers and church members in their daily lives. Even after retiring in January of 1983, she continued to work at home part time. If anyone in the church had a question that couldn't be answered, someone would say, ""Call Alice!"" She was thrilled to get her first computer for church work at home. She implemented the first electronic system to record contributions from all of the Presbyterian churches in northwestern Pennsylvania. After 30 years as a career woman and widow, she was fortunate to become friends with a member of Eastbrook Presbyterian Church, Ronald Kerr. Their friendship grew into loyalty and love. The two married on June 6, 1987. They loved to travel, spend time with grandchildren, take walks, sit on the back porch of their Fairmont Avenue home and enjoy each other's company. Through Ronald Kerr, Alice's grandchildren finally knew the joy of having a grandpa! Alice and Ron enjoyed 25 years of marriage until Ron passed away on September 23, 2012.Alice was an inspiration to her family and those that knew her. Her strength and energy were exceptional. Her family members had a difficult time keeping pace and affectionately nicknamed her the ""Energizer Bunny.' Her mental and emotional strength and faith helped her through challenging times in life. Alice would remark, ""You just have to keep going."" When one of her daughters questioned something in the church, she said, ""Don't judge God and Christ by the acts of man."" With her strength of character, wisdom and faith in God, she could have written an inspirational book that we all could have used as a life guide. Maybe she didn't have time? Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 11th at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of New Castle, 125 N. Jefferson Street, New Castle and will be officiated by Rev. Nathan Loudon.Burial will be in Castle View Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to UPMC Hospice of Erie, PA or the First Presbyterian Church of New Castle.