Kathryn White

Kathryn Golitko White, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend passed away on July 25, 2020 following a long illness. She was born on July 23, 1952 in Cleveland, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Golitko who predeceased her. She graduated from Regina High School in 1970. Kathy spent several years in the Pacific Northwest, where she studied anthropology earning a B.A. at Oregon State University and an M.A. at Washington State University.

She and her family then moved to Maine, where she became involved in education. As a VISTA volunteer for Literacy Volunteers of America, Kathy worked as a reading and ESL tutor and also trained tutors. She then got involved in fundraising and served as a board member of the Bangor chapter. She taught for several years at REACH School, an alternative high school in Bucksport, ME, where she improved the lives of many students. Kathy then became a writer, completing 6 novels and a number of short stories. Kathy had a voracious appetite for reading. She often read a book a day. She also loved to cook. She did not disappoint her guests. While in graduate school she cooked at an archeology dig on the Snake River for two summers.

Kathy was proud of her Slovak heritage. As a child she listened for hours to her Grandma’s stories about the old country. She loved to travel domestically and abroad. She was very interested in photography and was never without a camera on her trips. One trip in particular was especially memorable. Without any contact beforehand she found her relatives in her grandmother’s native village in Slovakia. In addition to traveling Kathy enjoyed hosting family and friends. She often served as tour guide planning activities and places to visit. Whether in the Pacific Northwest or Maine, her visitors enjoyed seeing the sights.

Kathy was a big music fan. She went crazy over the Beatles when they first came to the US. She often went to the local Channel 5 music show Upbeat. As she got older, she appreciated other genres but was always a rock ‘n roller at heart. She was ecstatic when the Folk Festival, a three-day event featuring live acts in multiple music styles, came to Bangor. She loved attending the festival and donated generously to it. After moving back to Ohio, it had been her hope to return every year, but health issues precluded that.

Kathy was a very spiritual person. She was extremely caring and compassionate. She always rooted for the underdog. She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Kathy loved her dogs Bingo, Scooby, Laci, Nemo, Lola, Carlton and cat Charlie. Her pets were a great comfort to her.

Kathy is survived by her husband Carlo, son Benjamin, his wife Stephanie Yu and their children Sophie and Alexandra, sister Joanne Gromen and her husband Don, brother Michael Golitko and his wife Cindy, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. While we will miss Kathy, we are comforted in knowing that she is finally at peace.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Kathy to The American Liver Foundation Heartland Chapter (www.liverfoundation.org), 6133 Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131.

Celebration of Life Service Friday July 31, 2020 at 11 AM at THE FUNERAL HOME. Burial following at Fowlers Mill Cemetery in Munson. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Kathy at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) THURSDAY 4-8 PM. (Masks required & social distancing will be observed.)