Amelia N. Kearney Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Amelia Kearney, 47 of Ithaca, New York passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017 after a long struggle with life. Amelia was predeceased by her mother, Roberta Kearney, and her father, Ellsworth Kearney. Amelia is survived by her daughter, Epiphany Kearney, and sisters Marilyn, and Valerie Kearney. Amelia is also survived by her nephew, Matthew Nelson, her aunt Marilyn Thornton, her many cousins, and the many members of her Ithaca family which include Kimberly Noftel, Eugene Jackson, and Alan Godfrey. Amelia was born in Queens, NY and when she was very young, she and her family integrated the town of Pembroke, Massachusetts. It was during her time there that Amelia became acutely aware of the injustices of the world and the treatment of those who are deemed to be an “other.” Amelia and her family later moved to the Bronx, N.Y., where she attended I.S 180 and Truman High School. Amelia then attended Bronx Community College before meeting her former husband, James Tompkins and giving birth to their daughter, Epiphany Kearney. Amelia and Epiphany eventually moved to Ithaca, New York so Amelia could pursue her education at Cornell University, and later Ithaca College. Due to her gregarious nature, Amelia quickly became ingrained in the Ithaca community. Amelia befriended many people from all walks of life and could be counted on to lend an ear, provide a couch to sleep on, be a cheerleader, give advice or cook a good meal. Amelia loved to help others and was a fierce advocate for those who were victimized, overlooked and marginalized. It was this advocacy that led Amelia to challenge the Ithaca city school system when her daughter Epiphany was a victim of racial intolerance and injustice. Amelia was relentless in her fight for her daughter’s rights and the rights of other students who were also being harassed, bullied and victimized. Although they both became the targets of hate groups and hateful individuals, they both persevered and ultimately won the lawsuit against the school system for failing to protect Epiphany from those who sought to harm her. This lawsuit, which was covered extensively by many news outlets from the Ithaca Journal to The New York Times brought light to the intolerance and bigotry experienced by some in the largely liberal, Ivy League community of Ithaca, N.Y. Amelia’s lawsuit has since become the rallying point for the disenfranchised and the marginalized a source of study in law schools and the focus of more than one scholarly article. Amelia’s lawsuit also heralded an opportunity for change within Ithaca, as school professionals were subsequently required to undergo training to identify racial intolerance and bullying, and the school board was challenged with having to respond appropriately when faced with similar situations. Amelia was a fighter, an advocate and a leader. Amelia was a mother, a sister, an auntie and a friend. Amelia loved Hello Kitty, picking wild blue berries and writing. Amelia loved the perfume, Beautiful by Este Lauder, dressing up, telling stories and classic House Music. Amelia loved food, Newports and Words with Friends. Amelia loved butterflies, dancing and being right. Amelia’s presence and laugh were larger than life and were only dwarfed by her intellectual curiosity and sense of justice. Amelia did not achieve success in the ways that we normally think of. There is no house with a white picket fence, no car and no fancy degrees. However, Amelia achieved the only success that counts. Amelia was loved. Amelia, was loved immensely by those who knew her and served as a source of inspiration for many. As Amelia is laid to rest on, the lessons she taught us will never be forgotten and she will be immensely missed. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Amelia's life together, on Friday, April 14, 2017, from 11 to 12 noon, at Herson Wagner Funeral Home, 110 S. Geneva St., Ithaca, NY. Burial will follow at Greenspring Natural Cemetery, Irish Hill Road, in Newfield, NY. All are welcome to attend.

Obituaries

Amelia N. Kearney

March 6, 1970 - April 7, 2017

Obituary & Service

Flowers & Gifts

Explore

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

What We Do

Forms

Resources

Obituaries

Contact Information

Obituaries

Amelia N. Kearney

March 6, 1970 - April 7, 2017

Obituary & Service

Share a Memory Below

Flowers & Gifts

365 Days of Grief Support

Explore

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

What We Do

Forms

Resources

Obituaries

Contact Information