Erma J. (Sremanak) Kean

Erma J. (Sremanak) Kean, 82, of Sterling, MA passed away December 21, 2023, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in Johnstown, PA to the late Sadie and Nicholas Sremanak, she was the beloved wife of David Kean, whom she married in 1969. In addition to her husband, four children survive Erma: Nicholas Kean of Worcester, Timothy Kean of Mooresville, NC, Gregory Kean and his wife Annie of Carlisle, MA and Rosalie Walkowski and her husband John of Cumberland, RI. She also leaves eight grandchildren: Owen Kean, Sarah Kean, Nigel Kean, Nicholas Walkowski, David Walkowski, William Walkowski, Rowan Kean and Lillian Kean. Also surviving is her brother, Nicholas Sremanak and his wife Janice of Duncansville, PA. She was predeceased by her sister Rosalie and her husband, Alex Faris.

Growing up in Johnstown, she embraced both the Eastern European and Lebanese cultures, including their religious and family values. She was the proud daughter of a father who survived the coal mines and steel mills of Cambria County. She was passionate about her Orthodox faith and never failed to attend the many religious and social activities which she enjoyed so much. She was a dedicated and loyal graduate of Presbyterian Nursing School (University of Pittsburgh), where she received her RN followed by a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Health from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her career began as a school nurse in Johnstown, where she met her beloved husband, whose promotion and transfer moved them to Hartford and later, Worcester, where she taught health in the Worcester Public Schools. Additionally, she taught swimming lessons for many years at the Greendale YMCA.

Erma loved to travel and especially enjoyed her summer vacations on Cape Cod beaches and socializing with her “beach buddies.” She enjoyed countless days of boating in Nantucket Sound and the bay side. She was a dedicated fan of the Boston Red Sox. Some of her most memorable adventures were traveling with her sister, Rosalie, to Spain, Lebanon, Greece, and Turkey, and a few years later, when she and her husband took a motor trip for a month driving across the Italian and Austrian Alps and throughout Europe. She also loved following her son’s NASCAR Cup team with trips to Daytona, Watkins Glen, and New Hampshire Speedways.

Most importantly, Erma was a true and loyal friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was extremely gifted and loved in so many ways. Her family and friends always remained very close. She cherished a lifelong love for her “heartfelt” friends from nursing school, with whom she met annually on Figure Eight Island in North Carolina.

A special appreciation and thanks must be extended to the care and dedication of UMass Home Health & Hospice and caregivers who came through for the family in challenging times.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 9:30am to 11:00am at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St., Worcester. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00am with interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com           

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Erma’s memory to St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St., Worcester, or the Alzheimer’s Association.