Kathleen Whitmer

A renowned artist writer and teacher Kathleen Whitmer died Tuesday January 6 2009. Kathleen was born in Canton Ohio on February 3 1936 and died January 6 2009 in Akron. Preceded in death by her mother Lucile Casey Bamberger and her father Herbert J. Bamberger she is survived by her sister Mary Ann Bamberger and her husband of 47 years Jerry F. Whitmer. Kathleen was a graduate of St. John's and Central Catholic High Schools. She received her B.A. Degree from Kent State University. She taught at Monticello Junior High School in Cleveland Heights Simon Perkins Junior High School and Kent State University from 1968 to 1979 when she was diagnosed with cancer. Kathleen received Kent State University's prestigious Distinguised Teaching Award and during her tenure at Kent was appointed by the President of Kent State University to a committee to investigate the fatal shootings of students during the antiwar demonstration on the Kent campus in 1970. Kathleen participated in a cancer research project under the direction of Steven Rosenberg at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland. While the treatments were successful the experimental chemotherapy damaged her heart and in 1999 she received a heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. She was the Artist in Residence at Old Trail School in Bath Ohio. Artistically she is known for her large vibrant images in oil on linen that represent the fundamental view of her world. Many of her paintings are in private and corporate collections. Kathleen reached out to thousands in her lectures and seminars on wellness and happiness. She inspired other to always look for good in any situation. Her humor and honesty are admired by those who know her. She was a member of numerous organizations including the Akron Junior League the Christ Child Society the American Cancer Society and she was the chairwoman of the Women volunteers at the American Golf Classic. In 2005 Kathleen received the Akron Beacon Journal's Extraordinary Woman Award. Kathleen is the author of 'Green Rubber Boots' 'A Joyful Journey to Wellness' 'For the Asking: A Joyful Journey to Peace' 'The Glory in a Story: A Joyful Journey Memories' and 'Blue Boo and her Colorful Friends. Calling hours will be Friday January 9 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. Akron OH. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday January 10 at 10 AM at St. Vincent Church 164 West Market St. Akron OH. In lieu of other remembrances memorials may be made to Old Trail School P.O. Box 827 Bath OH 44210 or Christ Child Society of Akron P.O. Box 5855 Akron OH 44372.