November 30, 1952 – September 19, 2024
Daughter of the late Arthur Scott Kerr (Victoria, B.C.) and the late Helen Margaret Lawson (Powell River, B.C.), Kerri was born in Victoria and moved with her family to Guelph in the early 1960s, where she attended Centennial High School.
Kerri married Jacques Cote on October 1, 1988, in Arkell, Ontario, and they built a life in Guelph - with their canine companions (Bentley, Jackson, Baxter) - filled with love and adventure. Kerri will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Jacques, his wonderful daughter Amber Longstreet-Fancey (James), and sweet granddaughters Abigail and Lainah. She also leaves behind her brother Mark Kerr and sister-in-law Carol Kerr, along with her nieces Melissa Townsend, Ashley Hargreaves (Jamie), and Sarah Henry (James), and nephews Ryan Kerr, Matt Kerr, Bruce Robb, and Andrew Robb. Kerri will also be missed by Jacques’ siblings Paul Cote (Melody) and Paulette Stacey (Dwight).
Kerri had a tight-knit circle of friends and family who adored her, including Jaime Dean-Dryden and Shawn Dryden, with their children Gavin, Ty, and Adyson; Craig Gordon and Colby Marcellus; Laurie Hall and Cheryl Larson; Pat Willman, Samantha Willman of Montreal, and Curtis Willman (Natalie) of Stirling. Her lifelong Guelph friends Linda Kennedy, Nancy Shoemaker, Wanda Finley, Joan Shumway, and Lynne and Cy Young were fortunate to call Kerri a dear friend.
Kerri’s career was as varied and dynamic as she was. From her time at Diversified Products/AMF sporting goods to her 15+ years as a legal secretary, and finally her 18 years at BSR&D survey company, she left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with.
Kerri and Jacques embraced retirement on April 1, 2016, with a zest for travel. They embarked on a journey that took them to Costa Rica, Italy, Ireland, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and, most recently, Jamaica. They traveled to Jamaica in April for Curtis and Natalie’s wedding. Jamaica became their top travel destination and Kerri was excited to return. Their adventures also included Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaskan cruises. In 2022, Kerri and Jacques joined her best friend Craig Gordon in Haliburton, renting a charming cottage in the woods where they spent countless hours exploring nature with their beloved Australian shepherd/border collie cousins, Baxter and Max, and enjoying cozy fireside chats under the stars.
Kerri was an international friend-maker, effortlessly building relationships across borders. She cherished visiting friends in the U.K., like Helena Šišoláková from Littlehampton and Manjit Aejla from Wolverhampton. Her connections extended to Tom and Marlene Good from Qualicum Beach, B.C., and Rob and Kate Silverman (with their daughters Adalyn and Elaina) from Rochester, U.K.
Kerri’s superpower was her unparalleled ability to connect with people. She could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, and in no time, they would become lifelong friends. Her warmth, love, and caring nature touched the lives of many in her Guelph community and around the world. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Kerri will carry her memory with them, forever grateful for the light she brought into their lives.
We look forward to celebrating Kerri Michel Kerr on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Spring Mills Distillery in Guelph.
Details to follow.
Care for the family provided by Passages Cremation and Burial