Jennifer Joyce (Kraus) Kearney

Jennifer Joyce (Kraus) Kearney

Waynesboro, Va.

Jennifer Joyce (Kraus) Kearney, 49, passed away on August 20, 2023 at her home in Waynesboro, Virginia. The oldest child of Dale Kraus and the late Susan (Jeffrey) Kraus, Jen was born on January 19, 1974, in Midland, Michigan and grew up in Fairfield, Iowa.

Jen is survived by her husband of 25 years and love of her life, Andy Kearney; beloved sons Joe Kearney and Owen Kearney; devoted father Dale Kraus and his wife Mary Jo (DenHartog) Kraus; cherished brother Daniel Kraus and sister-in-law Amanda (Sawyer) Kraus; and dear sister Julia (Kraus) Luedtke and brother-in-law Nathan Luedtke, nephew Nicholas Luedtke and nieces Avery Luedtke and Holly Luedtke.

She was preceded in death by her mother Susan (Jeffrey) Kraus and her grandparents Elmer Kraus, Virginia (Trautner) Kraus, Harold Jeffrey and Dorothy (Klaus) Jeffrey.

Jen earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa and worked for many years as a chemical engineer at Merck in Elkton, Virginia. While spending over fifteen years as a stay-at-home mom, she developed a love for volunteer work in the community. This led her to start Joy Photography, a for profit business that also provided its service at no cost to those who normally wouldn't have access to it. Her mission at Joy Photography was to "do good, share love, and bring joy."

But long before then, Jen was already known for doing those things: spreading joy and love to everyone who encountered her dimpled smile, and simply radiating goodness, as if she did not know any other way to be.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the Hospice of the Piedmont as well as to all of her supportive and caring friends. The family also extends sincere appreciation to the caring and professional staff at UVA Gynecological Oncology.

Her memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro, Virginia, on September 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jen's honor to Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministries (WARM) https://www.warmwaynesboro.org/.