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Kathryn Weidner Obituary

After a 4-year battle with cancer, Kay passed on peacefully and beautifully to Heaven. Her family had the honor and privilege of caring for her until her last earthly breath. This exquisite woman touched countless lives over 68 years.  

Kay was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Doris Mae Jarman and T. Hugh Jarman, Jr. In 1956, they lived in Pittsburg, PA for 11 years prior to moving across the state to Yardley in 1967. Her brother, T. Hugh Jarman, III aka “Bert” fondly remembers Kay organizing a backyard carnival for their neighborhood in Pittsburgh. The entire neighborhood attended the end of summer event. This brother/sister duo always had a close relationship, especially around the holidays. Kay and Bert would spend the month of December “practicing” for Christmas morning. 

A true caregiver at heart, Kay earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from what is now known as The College of New Jersey. She served others as a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. Kay retired in 2021 from her role as Vice President of Quality with SpiriTrust Lutheran. She worked tirelessly, even during her first round of chemotherapy like the true warrior that she is, ensuring those in need of long-term nursing support received the highest quality of compassionate, person-centered care. She was honored to present at two national LeadingAge conferences, one in New Orleans and the other in San Diego, doing her part to advance aging services and quality of care for seniors across the country.

Blessed with an angelic soprano singing voice, Kay shined when performing on stage. She was classically trained and could hit a high A with great ease. In 1981, fate led her to audition for Shepherd Hills Dinner Theatre’s production of Oklahoma!. She earned the lead female role of “Laurey” and her soulmate and future husband of 41 years, Craig Scott Weidner aka “The Craiger and Gampy” earned the male lead role of “Curly” with his breathtaking baritone voice. “People Will Say We’re in Love” from this show will forever remain their song. 

Kay and Craig had their first child, Emily Elizabeth aka “Em, Miss Meme, or Emy Pemmy 654 Niner” in 1983 and their second child James Craig aka “Jim, Jimmy, or Shamey” in 1985. Kay adored her children and provided them with unconditional love to the very end. As their biggest advocate, she always had their back. Kay never ceased being the most nurturing, caring, and supportive mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved her niece, Heather Ann Jarman aka “Heath” and her son-in-law, Kevin Everett Whitmire as her own children. Kay loved her best friend and neighbor of 39 years, Jeni Synder Touhsaent as her own sister. One of the most special and joyous moments of Kay’s life was becoming a “Gammy” to her one and only granddaughter who she loved like no other, Abigail Elizabeth Whitmire aka “Abby, Abs, Abska, and Lady.” Kay will forever cherish every moment she had with Abby, including watching her dance on stage and their summers together shopping, swimming, and going to the movies.

As a woman of Christian faith, she belonged to Zion’s Union Church of Maxatawny where she served on the church’s board and safety committee. Kay believed her ancestors and guardian angels watched over her. Whenever she found a feather, she knew an angel was nearby. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she was always dreaming of a white Christmas. We will all miss her snow chili. 

Kay joins her mother, Doris and father, Hugh in Heaven. As a life-long cat lover, there is no doubt she is reunited with her kitties waiting for her at the rainbow bridge. She will be missed everyday by her family, swim sisters and brothers, and her cats, particularly Rudy, who she taught to give “high-fives” and cuddled her every night. A couple of days before her passing, she said she knew her life was coming to an end. Kay saw her Heavenly family greeting her. She described the sight as, “so beautiful and such bliss.”  We will all be waiting with anticipation for the feathers she will send us from above.

A Memorial Service celebrating Kay’s life will take place on Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 a.m. with a 10:00 a.m. greeting hour at Zion’s Union Church of Maxatawny: 329 Church Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530, (610) 683-7485. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kay’s name to her church’s music program.

Arrangements entrusted to John P. Feeney Funeral Home, Inc. 625 N. 4th Street at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601, 610-372-4160. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathryn M. Weidner, please visit our floral store.

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