Tribe mourns passing of Kathy Wolfe

by Jun 15, 2010NEWS ka-no-he-da0 comments

For the children…

Kathy Wolfe dedicated her life to Cherokee youth

 

By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.

ONE FEATHER STAFF

Kathy Wolfe

When you think of Kathy Wolfe, you automatically think of Cherokee children.  Her connection to the youth of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was that tight. 

Kathy passed away at the age of 52 on Wednesday, June 9 leaving behind a lifetime of work and dedication to making the lives of Cherokee children better. 

Having graduated from Cherokee High School in 1975, she was involved with the education system in Cherokee until her death.  She served for 23 consecutive years, since 1987, on the Cherokee School Board, 21 of which as the chairperson. 

Kathy was on the Cherokee Youth Center Board of Directors and served 11 years on the EBCI Higher Education Committee as well as helping administer the Cherokee Boys Club Scholarship Fund. 

The Cherokee Boys Club released the following statement on Wolfe, “We at the Boys Club are mourning the recent loss of a beloved friend, family member and co-worker.  The loss is not only ours, but a loss to the community she served for so many years.  Kathy Wolfe was called Home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, June 9, 2010.  We thank God and her family for sharing her life unselfishly with the Boys Club, Cherokee Central Schools, her church, her community and all the lives she touched along the way.  We will surely miss her each and every day but we can always remember her strength to overcome adversity, her ability to diffuse potential troubling situations and the love and wisdom she was able to impart with every conversation and every smile. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her friends and family.”

In 2008, she was honored with the Frell Owl Award given to those who serve Cherokee youth.

“I would like to wish my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Kathy Wolfe,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks.  “Kathy gave an impeccable 34 years of her life to the Cherokee Boys Club and our Cherokee School System.  Through her work at CBC she was able to have a major impact on our youth attending Cherokee Central Schools.  Kathy also served on the Cherokee School Board for 23 years and we are so thankful for her service and compassion for our youth.” 

Chief Hicks continued, “I would like to ask everyone to join me in remembering and celebrating the life of Kathy Wolfe and please keep the family members in your prayers during this difficult time.  We will miss our friend; however, we will cherish our memories of her.” 

Gloria Rattler, Cherokee School Board vice-chairperson, commented on her friend, “It is a tremendous loss for our community as well as the Cherokee Central School Board and the Cherokee Central School System due to the passing of Mrs. Kathy Wolfe.  Kathy was an asset to our community and I considered her my friend as well as my mentor.” 

Rattler said Wolfe was always very helpful and eager to share knowledge and experience.  “She had so much knowledge about the Cherokee Central School Board.  Therefore, she brought a lot of knowledge to the table.  She served our community for 23 tireless years and she will be greatly missed.”