Katherine "Kay" G. Stern

Her memorial service was held Thursday, December 21, 2023 in Temple Emmanuel, Greensboro Downtown.

Kay’s life was long and well-lived. Born to Louise Seitter and Siegfried Goodman, she was raised and educated in Wilmington, NC, graduating from New Hanover High School in 1942. During World War II, she attended Duke University and graduated in three years.

After graduation, Kay worked for two years as Women’s Editor at The Morning Star daily newspaper in Wilmington. In July 1948, she met Sidney J. Stern, Jr., an attorney from Greensboro, at the home of Janet Bluethenthal on Wrightsville Beach. Sidney had traveled from his home in Greensboro where the polio epidemic was raging that summer in Guilford County. Kay and Sidney became engaged after a brief courtship over six weekends. They married at the Goodman house in Wilmington in November, 1948 and soon after, began their life together in Greensboro. By the end of the 1950’s, Kay and Sidney had three children, and resided in their newly built house, designed by their cousin, Edward Lowenstein, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Over the decades that followed, Kay was involved in many civic causes. Early on, she helped start the Cerebral Palsy School – later to become Gateway Education Center and Preservation Greensboro which purchased and restored the historic Blandwood Mansion. She served on numerous boards including the Children’s Home Society, the United Way, Greenhill Center for NC Art, the NC Museum of History Associates and the Greensboro Symphony. She had a special love for her work with Duke University where she served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years.

Kay was often described as elegant, gracious and kind. She had a lifelong interest in literature and learning, architecture, history and plants, but she also had a great curiosity for those around her. Inquisitive and sympathetic, she most often began conversations with questions for others.

Kay was central to her family – and her family was central to her. Her younger sister, Marilyn, moved to Greensboro in 1958, and also had three children. Between the two, they created a close knit, large group of relatives. Kay loved nothing more than hosting family and friends not only in Greensboro but also at “the Sound,” her and Marilyn’s summer house on the intracoastal Waterway outside Wilmington. Generations of family and friends enjoyed lively dinners, plenty of seafood and great conversations in Kay’s company.

Kay was predeceased by husband, Sidney, in 1991. She is survived by three children: Sidney Joseph Stern III (Johannah), Susan Goodman Stern (David Huffine), and Katherine Stern Weaver (Mike); sister, Marilyn Goodman Anderson; eight grandchildren Dean Stern (Lauren), Al Stern, Abbey Stern, Hammer Stern, Zan Batchelder (Savannah), Bret Batchelder (Haley), Will Weaver and Mike Weaver; six great-grandchildren; three nephews, Len Anderson, Karl Anderson (Christy), and Will Anderson; six great-nieces, and one great-nephew.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with her family by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.