Obituary of Catherine Birkner

Catherine “Kaye” Birkner, 84, died December 14, 2009. A lifetime area resident, Mrs. Birkner was a third grade teacher at Echo Hills Elementary School in Stow.  She retired in 1990 after 24 years of dedicated service.  Born in Cleveland, she graduated from West Technical High School in 1943 and Kent State University in 1947, with a degree in journalism.  Prior to a career in teaching, she was a reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal and the Record Courier.  She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and Mensa.  She loved to travel having visited 62 countries on five continents. Preceded in death by parents Thomas and Mary Tolt; husband Francis “Dick” in 1972, whom she married in 1948; and daughter Merimae Luise in 1987, she is survived by son Francis “Rick” Birkner, Jr. of Columbus and brother Lester Tolt of North Olmstead. Pastor Jim Case will conduct graveside service Friday 10 AM at Standing Rock Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Northern Ohio Chapter, 4635 Richmond Road, Suite 103, Cleveland, OH, 44128.