Mary Kiernan Obituary, Death – Mary Kiernan died calmly, without suffering any anguish. Jared VanWagenan and Charlotte (Sherwood) Estelow gave birth to her on June 12 in Oxford, New York. Her parents’ names are Charlotte (Sherwood) Estelow and Jared VanWagenan. Mary was predeceased by her sister Phyllis (Estelow) Taylor, her brothers Paul and Richard Estelow, as well as Jimmy and Billy Estelow, who died as infants. Mary got a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oneonta State College after graduating from Oxford Academy Central School in 1950. In the 1950s, Mary worked at Victory Markets, where she met and married Charles Broniszewski in 1957.
Charles died before Mary in 1971. Mary leaves behind two of her most beautiful granddaughters, MaryBeth DeCuyke and Joelle Bump, as well as her daughters, Charlotte (Broniszewski) Brokaw and Catherine (Broniszewski) DeCuyke, and her son-in-law, Bruce Bump. Carolyn Staudt, her beloved stepdaughter, grandchildren Steve (Becky) and Peter (Tracey) Franchell, sister-in-law Judy Estelow, and several adoring nieces and nephews survive her. Joey Franchell, her grandson, died before she did.
Mary married the amazing John Kiernan in 1974, and that year marked the start of her life in Sherburne, where she has lived ever since. Mary is survived by her grandkids Clint Fowlston, Jack Fowlston, Kate Haynes, Meg Fowlston, and Molly Myers, in addition to her stepdaughters Sandy (Tim) Fowlston and Meg Kiernan. Sandy (Tim) Fowlston and Meg Kiernan are also survivors of Mary. Mary’s priorities have always been her family, her community, and the enjoyment of others.
She was Sherburne’s first female town councilor, as well as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the American Legion Auxiliary’s Fort Hill Post #376. She was the first woman to be elected to the Chenango County Democratic Committee and to serve as its President. She was also a long-time member of the United Church of Christ in Sherburne. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and caring for her will greatly miss her.