Fern Enders Moore

Fern Enders Moore, born as Patric Fern, oldest daughter of John W. Enders and Nora Nagle Enders Bottari, was born in Queens, New York City, then resided in Rutherford and Ridgewood, NJ. A 1962 graduate of Rutherford HS, Fern then matriculated at West Virginia University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education (1967). Fern was a member of Delta Delta Delta and a lifelong fan of Mountaineer football.

In 1968, Fern married then 2nd Lieutenant (USAF) James Christopher Moore. As a dedicated officer’s wife, Fern moved every few years as her husband’s duty station changed. She lived in Bermuda, Turkey, West Germany, and in 5 states. As an educator, Mrs. Moore taught high school and junior high in New Jersey, Delaware, Bermuda, Maryland, and Virginia. She was a Vice Principal at Saint Mark’s Catholic School, Hyattsville, MD. During the 1970’s, Fern became a steadfast Washington Redskins fan.

Despite frequent relocations, Fern managed to work or volunteer in many roles - store manager, community theater director, Officer’s Wives Club board member, Girl Scout leader, English as a second language teacher, and Family Services volunteer to name just a few. Fern and her husband moved 18 times during their 52-year marriage.

In 1996, Fern and Jim moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where she lived for 26 years. Early in her time in Hilton Head, she was the director of religious education at St. Francis by Sea. She made lasting contributions to the Hilton Head community as the co-founder of the St. Francis by the Sea School Gala, St. Francis Thrift Store, and the Hospice Community Thrift Store.

Her most treasured role was ‘Mema’ to her grandchildren. She loved planning the family’s summer vacations in Holden Beach and Lake Norman, NC, when she could enjoy her grandchildren (and their parents) - all staying together in one house. Mema planned international nights with costumes, games, food, and crafts making great family memories.

After her husband passed away, she moved to West Orange, NJ, to live with her youngest daughter, Kate, and her family.

Fern is preceded in death by her beloved husband Colonel (USAF Retired) James Moore, brother Lothar ‘Larry’ Hofmann, son-in-law Michael Perlman, and her parents.

She is survived by her daughters Sarah Dressel George (Patrick) of Grants Pass, Oregon; Jennifer McCarthy (Robert) of Saint Louis, Missouri; and Kathryn Perlman of West Orange, New Jersey; her sisters Barbara Lanham and Laura ‘Mimi’ Kitashima (Wesley) of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren - James and Samuel Dressel, Diana George, Margaret and Caroline McCarthy, and Elisabeth, Aidan, and Zoe Perlman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fern has requested that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Francis Catholic School, Hilton Head Island, SC.

Fern will be interred alongside her husband in Quogue, New York at a later date. Private arrangements are in the care of the Galante Funeral Home in Caldwell.