Ernestine “Teeny” Cappel Kuhn (1930 – 2021)
Ernestine “Teeny” Cappel Kuhn of Washington, NJ, died on April 30, 2021. She
was 90 years old.
Teeny was a lively spirit with a beautiful, ready smile and generous compassion,
touching countless lives through her long life of service to family, friends, church
and community. She was a gorgeous mosaic composed of many pieces
gathered through a life that was rich with love.
The oldest of six children, Teeny was born in 1930 in Marksville, LA to May Roy
and Bert Cappel. Her childhood was very happy, growing up in a large extended
family with a rich tradition of storytelling and strong work ethic developed during
the Depression era. Teeny was a nurturing older sister, became a skilled cook
and seamstress at her mother’s elbow, and excelled in school, a bright student
who earned her BA in English at Louisiana State University. Throughout her life,
she was an avid reader and an accomplished crossword puzzler who regularly
completed the Sunday New York Times puzzle.
It was at LSU that Teeny met the love of her life, Donald Kuhn of Elizabeth, NJ.
They were married in 1955, beginning an amazing partnership that would last 64
years. They settled in New Jersey, raising six children in Elizabeth, Colts Neck
and then Millington. The celebration of their 60th anniversary in New Orleans
was a cherished experience attended by all 28 members of the immediate family.
Teeny was an extraordinary homemaker whose cooking was legendary. Her
kitchen table was the heartbeat of the house, where she welcomed all comers
with a smile, lovely blue eyes and something delicious. She entertained with
ease, grace and no pretense. She knew everyone’s name, loved to laugh and
was fun to laugh with, and delighted family and friends alike leading singalongs
from her seat at the piano. A huge presence in the lives of her children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she fiercely encouraged their diverse
career choices, joyfully helped with childcare, and was a fixture in the bleachers
at their games and performances from little league through college.