Kathryn Y Garlow, 92, of Reading Pennsylvania, passed away on March 26, 2020. Born on July 31, 1927 in West Hazelton, PA she was the daughter of the late Anna Mieczkowski Yurick and Joseph Yurick. She attended Penn State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1949 and her master’s in chemistry in 1951. Kathryn worked at Sloan Kettering Institute in NYC and later as a chemist at Kawecki-Berylco in Reading.
She was the beloved wife of the late William A. Garlow who died on September 6th, 2006. They met at Penn State and married soon thereafter.
Kitty's husband was an environmental engineer and took the family to live in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the 60's, It was a fun and interesting time for the family as everyone learned Spanish and the customs of another country.
Upon return to the states Kitty and Bill lived in Reading until Bill's retirement. They moved to a 93 acre property in Schuylkill County that included a custom built house. They lived happily amid the forest and streams, enjoying Nature which was a constant in Kitty's like. She was a early adopter of organic gardening and preserving nature in situ. Kitty an Bill participated in local efforts to preserve rural Pennsylvania.
Kitty, as she was affectionately known, and Bill had a full and vigorous life centered around family, a menagerie of pets, and home-grown heirloom vegetables from Kitty’s sprawling organic gardens. The dining room table was always the center of their home, a place to share food as well as lively conversations. No matter where she lived, Kathryn shared her gardening knowledge freely. As Master Gardener, she was recognized as National Park Service Volunteer of the Year at Oxon Hill Farms, Oxon Hill MD. When she and Bill retired to Schuylkill County, they continued their environmental stewardship by serving with the Delaware River Keepers as stream monitors.
Kitty was known for her engaged conversations, curiosity and delicious dinners. She was a wonderful cook, especially roast chicken, devil's food cake and fastnachts. She will be remembered as a champion of women's equality.
Kathryn was predeceased by her brother Bernard Yurick, MD of Flat Rock, NC, infant sibling Joseph Yurick, and granddaughter Lilley Kathryn Garlow. She is survived by her four children: William Garlow of Baltimore, Maryland, his twin brother Thomas Garlow of State College, Pennsylvania, Ann Garlow of Washington, DC, and Steven Garlow, MD Ph.D. of Madison, Wisconsin. Also surviving her in joy are five grandchildren: Ross, Clay, Adam, Grace, and Ben all of whom she cherished. The family would like to thank her longtime caregiver, HabibattaBarrie, nurse Denise Rissell and the staff at Berkshire Center.
Services will be held at the Transfiguration Cemetery in West Hazelton in the Summer. Contributions can be made to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 925 Canal St. Ste 3701, Bristol, PA 19007.
