Sara E. Kern

LITITZ, PA - Sara Elida Kern, a vibrant, fierce, and endlessly hopeful soul, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, at age 43 after navigating stage IV EGFR lung cancer for 6+ years.

Sara Kern was born July 16, 1981, in Ashtabula, OH. From a young age, Sara was a bright spirit. Always personable and determined, Sara excelled at dance and had a knack for turning mundane moments into adventures. After high school in Holden, MA, she attended the University of Rhode Island where she earned a B.F.A. in Stage Management. This degree would bring her to a job at the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX, where she would meet the love of her life, Frank B. Kern III. Sara and Frank left the Alley to join Cirque du Soleil, where Sara became the youngest General Stage Manager in Cirque history. They traveled the world together - from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Macau to Japan, Ukraine to the UK, and many other places. Sara showcased her exceptional ability to keep every intricate detail of a production running seamlessly which eventually led her to the most important act of her life: becoming a Mother. Sara & Frank moved to Lititz, PA, in 2013, and were married on May 23, 2014, at The Gardens at Elm Bank, in Wellesley, MA.

After changing careers from Stage Manager to Realtor, and after living in Lititz for several years, Sara soon became the mother to Magnolia (Nola) and Finnegan (Finn). Since then, her boundless energy and desire to raise compassionate children became the center of her world. Together with Frank, they traveled extensively and gave the kids countless unforgettable experiences like a helicopter ride across Hawai’i, several train trips to New York City, beach-hopping whenever possible, and the pursuit of beautiful waterfalls. Even in the face of her illness, Sara’s adventurous spirit never waned. Nola and Finn remained her constant inspiration for persevering, leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of the next line of treatment or a cure for her cancer. Her local friends and “village,” particularly the families at the Montessori Academy of Lancaster and friends made world-wide, provided a network of support that never faltered through the years, and was integral to her healing, happiness, and love of life.

Since being diagnosed in December 2018 (a month after Finn was born), Sara took her lung cancer diagnosis and transformed it into a mission in which she helped countless others through in-person chats, late-night phone calls, and the EGFR Resisters Lung Cancer Facebook group, where she was a top contributor to so many looking for advice and comfort, and where she received so much of that advice and comfort in return. Always one to advocate for herself and others, she spent over six years learning and educating others about the disease.

It also wouldn’t be a complete picture of Sara without mentioning how much she loved dogs. Sara had a deep and abiding love for all animals, but dogs held a special place in her heart. Whether she was rescuing them from a shelter or the side of the road or even volunteering to walk them in other countries she travelled, dogs brought her so much companionship and joy. Sara shared her life with many dogs through the years - Samantha, Sanga, Akyra, Napali, Olive, Pigeon, and Quigley - each one cherished deeply, but no dog more so than her beloved Napali, who truly showed her how to live and love despite life’s challenges. Pidgeon and Quigley, still with the family today, were lucky to be loved by her and will carry forward the occasional piddles on the freshly cleaned rug, and Sara’s warmth, care, and playful spirit she gave all of us so freely.

Besides her cherished husband Frank and their children, Sara leaves behind her devoted parents, Katharine and Gregory Mills, and her treasured siblings, Bryan Mills and Erin Ellis, all of whom carry her memory forward. Bryan, Erin and Sara shared many summers at “the Bend in the Brook” in Haynesville, ME, with her late grandparents Irma and Arthur Hess. She was also the granddaughter of the late William Mills and Bonnie Mills Bertel and Victor Bertel of Winona, MN. Sara gained four “bonus” siblings in her in-laws, Todd Ellis, Stephanie Mills, Hillary Kern, and Manuel Gonzales Bert. Another one of her great joys were her niece and nephews, whom she spoiled with glittery accessories and many games of ball: Molly and Gabe Ellis and Emmett Mills. In addition, she leaves behind her adored mother and father-in-law, Kathleen and Frank Kern of The Woodlands, TX. Sara is survived by aunts and uncles, Laura Savage (Arthur), William (Twig) Mills and Alison Stamey, Kim Mills (the late Jeannie Larson). She also had many cousins who rooted for her near and far. Throughout her life, Sara was blessed with an abundance of friends, many of whom had a great influence on her.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the expert care team at Mass General Hospital in Boston, and particularly Dr. Lecia Sequist, with whom Sara and the family communicated often. Her compassionate approach, combined with the highest level of scientific expertise, brought comfort and confidence to the family during many profoundly difficult times. Sara Stevens, Dr. Allison Chang, Dr. Nancy Wang, Dr. Catherine Meador, Jeanne Vaughn, Dr. Brian Nahed, Dr. Melin Khandekar, and countless others also made a direct and positive impact on Sara, and that will never be forgotten. The family is incredibly thankful for the time, attention, and genuine kindness they all offered - not just in treating her illness, but in treating her as a whole person.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care Center in memory of Sara Kern. Checks may be made out to Massachusetts General Hospital (noting "In Memory of Sara Kern" in the memo line or in an accompanying note) and mailed to the MGH Development Office Attn: Keith Erikson, 125 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114. Gifts may also be made online at www.giving.massgeneral.org. Click on "Give Now." After designating your gift, the second item is "Make this gift in tribute to" – click on this box and you can then designate "In Memory of Sara Kern." Please also indicate “Lung Cancer” as the program at the bottom of the form. Knowing that these donations will directly impact the advancements in research and treatment brings the family comfort, and it’s what Sara would’ve wanted.

Lastly, we believe that Sara would want you to honor her by enjoying a beautiful song, a joyful dance, a damn good cup of coffee, or toasting up a cocktail in her honor. Here’s to Sara, who was always bright in the mind, and even brighter in the heart.