Kathryn L. Wilhelm, 99, of East Sandwich, Massachusetts, passed away on August 9, 2016 following a peaceful and loving visit with family. Kathryn (Kay) was born March 20, 1917 in Pennsylvania to Ernest and Margaret Lewis. Kay was the oldest of six children in a coal-mining family and graduated from Redstone High School and California State Teachers College. Kay taught in the Brownsville School District and loved her days teaching grade seven English.
Kay was the beloved wife of the late William (Bill) G. Wilhelm. After marrying in 1941, Kay and Bill lived in Republic, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Duxbury, Massachusetts, and Painesville, Ohio. Bill and Kay’s homes in New Jersey and Ohio served as the center for family events. Following retirement, Bill and Kay moved to East Sandwich, Massachusetts in order to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She hosted Saturday night family dinners and “Grammy”, as she was known to many, opened her home as a hub of activity for her grandchildren and their friends.
Kay enjoyed golfing, playing Scrabble and Tripoly, and socializing with her family and friends. She was a spiritual woman and a member of First Church of Christ in Sandwich, Massachusetts where she was active in Church Circle. She taught us all about unconditional love, the importance of family and friends, and being there for each other. Whenever asked what she would like as a gift, she would always reply “peace and love”. She passed away at peace and was surrounded by love.
Kathryn leaves behind two children: her son, William G. Wilhelm Jr. and his wife Marcia of Duxbury, and her daughter Peggy McEvoy of East Sandwich. She also leaves two grandchildren: Erin McEvoy DiMella and her husband Michael of Boston and Meghan McEvoy Nugent and her husband Patrick of Charlestown. She also leaves her great grandson, Walter Patrick Nugent III (Tripp). Kathryn was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bill, her brother Bill Lewis, her sisters Dorothy Green, Vera Fisher and Elaine Taylor. She is survived by her sister Margaret Cooley and family in California, her nephew Douglas Fisher and her niece Diane Thompson and their families in Connecticut.
A service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday August 22, 2016 at the National Cemetery in Bourne. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice Services of Massachusetts or Hope Health of Cape Cod.