Christine A. Rohleder-Kerester

Christine (Chris) Ann Rohleder Kerester

January 1952 – April 12, 2021

Christine Rohleder Kerester, 69, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2021 at home.  She was the wife of John Douglas Kerester (Doug.) 

Chris was born in January 1952 to Alfred and Patricia (Rooney) Rohleder of Forest Hills in Queens, NY.  She attended St. Bart’s Elementary Grammar School in Elmhurst, Marta Christi High School in Astoria and Queens College.

Chris began her career at Madison Square Garden working in the souvenir department of Harry M Stevens.  During her 13 years at MSG she worked sporting events and concerts and met some very iconic people including The Pope, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, to name a few.  She joined Interep in 1983, a national radio rep firm and remained there for 20 years.   Chris also volunteered at Dress for Success and Lenox Hill Hospital. 

She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially coordinating their annual family reunion, which included her 40+ cousins.  She loved going to the East End of Long Island on the weekends.  In fact, she met her husband Doug during the summer of 1990 when she sat next to him on a bus from the North Fork to Manhattan.  That was the beginning of their 31 years together.   Chris remained a NY “City Girl” and always channeled her “Inner Queens.”  She was known for keeping it real, a trait which everyone appreciated. She was a loyal friend to so many and was everyone’s best audience.  No matter where you were, you could count on running into a friend of hers.

Chris is survived by her husband, Doug  her two sisters Kathy and her husband, Brian; Eileen and her husband Ron; six nieces and nephews: Brian, Sean, Allison, Christian, Caroline and Julia.  She is also survived by Aunt Peggy and Uncle Bob and 5 great nieces and nephews: James, Shane, Quinn, Maddie and Brian.  In addition, in her final months her caregiver, Mina, always made her days brighter.  And, her dog, Brynley, her steady companion, will be forever in everyone’s hearts.  

The Funeral Mass will be held on April 24th, 2021, 10:30am at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 990 Holzheimer St, Franklin Square, NY 11010.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to:  https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate

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