Kathryn Marjorie Crowell Michener

Kathryn Marjorie Crowell Michener, age 95 of Kingston, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on May 8, 2010. She was born on January 4, 1915, in Wallkill, NY to John and Georgiana Crowell. Kay was married for 60 years to her University of Michigan sweetheart, Larry, who preceded her in death in January 2001. Kay and Larry met at a “Victoria” dance in Ann Arbor, Michigan and married in 1940. The Micheners moved to Oak Ridge in 1943 where Larry worked with the Manhattan Project. Kay received her undergraduate degress at St. Petersburg Jr. College, Fla. and Columbia Teacher College, NY. Her masters degree in psychology was from the University of Michigan. She was a teacher in Oak Ridge and then she became the first accredited special education teacher in RoaneCounty in 1957. She taught at the old Kingston Elementary, Fairview, Cherokee and EmoryHeightsSchools. Oma, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren, was blessed with 25 years retirement, during which she and Larry traveled overseas and across the United States by RV. She was an inspiration and comfort to everyone she met, regardless of age, and was always known to have an open kitchen and an open home. She is survived by her five daughters Mariana Oonk and Berty Brown of Kingston, Cathy Wacksman of Tallahassee, Fls., Martha Chandler of Broad Run, Va., and Laura Lee Stephenson of Pinkerington, Ohio; grandchildren, Anneke Oonk, Kingston, Michael and Milara Oonk, Texas, Jimmy Wacksman, Fla., Georgiana Wacksman, VA. and Kathryn Isted, Ga.; Robert Stephenson and Roberta Haeffle, NC., and Polk Brown, Kingston; and seven great grandchildren, including Lyric Rivera of Kingston. She is also survived by her brother Robert Crowell of Atlantic Beach, Fla. She was an active member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingston, the Fort Southwest Point DAR, ’43 Club of Oak Ridge, Republican Women’s Club, Rotary Club, Prison Ministry, RCRTA, St. Andrews Society and the Hugenot Society of New Paltz, NY. A founding member of the prison ministry, Kay said she felt blessed by the tears and prayers she shared with the men in MorganCounty prison. Kay touched so many lives through her involvement in these organizations. Her legacy of hospitality and civic devotion will live on in the hearts of all who have known her. She will be greatly missed. Her family will receive friends from 2 until 4p.m.Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingston. Funeral service will follow with Debbie Hyder and Mike Justice officiating. Interment will be that morning for the family members at RoaneMemorialGardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, building fund or Home Health Care of East Tennessee, Inc. and Hospice.

Kathryn Marjorie Crowell Michener

January 4, 1915 - May 8, 2010