Brittney Jean Kehr

Brittney Jean Kehr, 23, of South Bend, passed away Friday afternoon, October 12, 2012, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Brittney was born August 15, 1989 in South Bend, a daughter of Randy and Rosemarie (Dosmann) Kehr. She grew up in Mishawaka. Brittney suffered a stroke before she was born and courageously persevered through life. She attended Mishawaka High School and then moved onto the Young Adult Program. Her favorite school was LaSalle Elementary. She was baptized into the Catholic faith.

For the past three years, Brittney resided in Chicago House at Hannah & Friends Neighborhood in South Bend and made amazing strides in independence throughout that time. She attended the Day Program at Marshall/Starke where she had a variety of jobs and responsibilities and made wonderful friends.

Brittney had a true heart for others and was particularly drawn to the elderly. She enjoyed visiting nursing homes and visiting her grandparents and family. Brittney had a great ability to make others smile and it could be said that she never met a stranger.

Some of Brittney’s favorite things in life included going out to eat, going to the mall (particularly the pet store), and functions at Hannah & Friends. Brittney, her twin sister and their mother volunteered for Pet Refuge. She herself volunteered at the Humane Society.

Brittney’s surviving family includes her mother, Rosemarie (Roger Jacobs) Kehr of Mishawaka; her father, Randy Kehr of South Bend; her twin sister with whom she had a special and unique bond, Ashley Marie Kehr of Mishawaka; her grandparents, Gervase Dosmann of South Bend, Curtis Kehr of Union, Michigan and Doris June Kehr of Elkhart; and her house mates and the staff at Hannah & Friends who she thought of as family.

Brittney was preceded in death by a grandmother, Loretta Jean Dosmann.

Friends may spend time with Brittney’s family on Friday, October 19, from 3 - 5 pm in the Eck Recreation Center at Hannah & Friends, 51250 Hollyhock Road, South Bend.

A Mass celebrating Brittney’s life will begin Friday at 5 pm in the Eck Recreation Center with Rev. Paul Doyle, C.S.C. officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

In lieu of flowers, Brittney’s family suggests memorials to Hannah & Friends or Mosaic of Northern Indiana or Paws for a Cause. Envelopes will be available Friday. Assistance with memorials is also available through the funeral home.

Arrangements are in the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka.