Julie Paula (Kern) Fanning, of South Dartmouth, passed away peacefully at Sippican Healthcare Center in Marion on October 6, 2019 following a long illness at The Cottages at Dartmouth Village.

Julie was the wife of Dr. Henry J. Fanning and the daughter of the late Josef and Paulina (Starz) Kern.

Born in New York City, she lived in Germany and New York prior to her marriage. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in South Dartmouth and was a graduate of the former Maria Theresa Academy in Germany. 

She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Women’s Club in New Bedford, a former Lumbard volunteer of St. Luke’s Hospital and a member of Anthony Beach Association and the New Bedford Assembly Association. She was also employed as a tax consultant at the former firm of Hodgson, Pratt and Pratt.

Survivors include her widower, two sons; Peter Kern Fanning and his wife Cynthia of Ventura, California and Christopher Mark Fanning and his wife Eileen of Westport, Connecticut; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Fanning, Mitchell Patrick Fanning, Ryan Patrick Fanning, Michael Joseph Fanning and Erica Marie Fanning. She is also the sister of Josephine Maier of Munich, Germany.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to the entire staff and administration of The Cottages at Dartmouth Village and the staff at Sippican Healthcare Center.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated on October 11, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth. Father Stephen Salvador, a friend and neighbor of many years, will officiate the Mass. 

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation is respectfully omitted. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated. 

Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.