Kathleen Thorpe

Kathleen E. Thorpe





Pisgah Forest, NC - Kathleen E. Thorpe, 59, died peacefully at her home, Friday, February 15, 2008.

She was born August 9, 1948 in Niagara Falls, NY, to the late Oskar Back and Sieglinde Neumann.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Peter, one daughter : Anne Thorpe of Brevard, two brothers: Ron and wife Anita Back of Virginia, Oskar Stephen and wife Sue of Denver, Co., two sisters: Linde Zara of Pisgah Forest, NC and Marliesa Back of Manchester, MI.

She graduated from Buffalo State in 1969. She worked for Service Master as hospital food service director, and in 1991 was chosen over 425 other directors as the Marion Wade Award of Excellence for Outstanding Manager of the Year.

Kathy worked as family and consumer agent at Transylvania County's extension office. She led the effort to get a senior center and provided counseling and support to people deciding which Medicare prescription drug plan would best suit their needs. She helped people manage money, taught caregivers new skills, and helped teach older adults how to write their life story. She worked with different agencies, matched them up with one another, and worked with people within the agencies.

In 2007, the Brevard Chapter of the American Association of University Women at their annual "Women Who Make a Difference" awards honored Kathy.

Kathy joined Civitan as a charter member in 1999. In 2002, she served as the fourth Civitan president, and in 2003, she was Lt. Governor for the over 200,000-member Western N.C. District. In 2008, she was given the Civitan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kathy was Transylvania County co-coordinator for Special Olympics for 7 years. She leaves the program with a strong base of volunteers and a strong financial position.

Kathy was chair of the Transylvania County Council on Aging, the secretary for Western Carolina Family and Consumer Association, an educator for the N.C. Dietetic Association and board member and nutrition counselor for Volunteers in Medicine.

Kathy was a diabetes educator for the Free Clinics in Hendersonville, a volunteer for Senior Health Insurance Information program, a member of Partnership for Health, and a Transylvania Association for Disabled Citizens Board member.

Kathy was a past president of the Bass Lake Homeowners Association and was a member of Sacred Heart Church, where she was involved with Rite of Christian Initiation, Faith Formation and the Why Catholic program.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Carl DelGiudice officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship building.

Memorials may be made to Transylvania County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 2307, Brevard, NC 28712.

To sign Kathy's memorial register online, please got to "Obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home is serving the family.