Kathryn Ann Walker

Kathryn (Katie) Ann Walker passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024, at the age of 53, after a five-year battle with dementia. Katie was born Kathryn Ann Walker, on June 12, 1971, in Riverside, NJ. She was born with Down Syndrome and grew up in Medford, NJ with her parents, older brother Tom and younger sister Wendy. Her mother, Elizabeth (Betty) was an accountant and technical writer; her father (Harry) was a painter and art teacher.

Katie graduated from Special Services of Burlington County, and for many decades participated in the Burlington County Special Olympics, winning medals in bowling and swimming. She attended several day programs in her area (Bridges Adult Day Program and later OTC Services), worked at the local McDonald’s for several years, and was a devoted member and acolyte at St. Peter’s Episcopal church in Medford, NJ.

Christmas, camp and her birthday were the trinity of joys in any given year. Early drafts of her Xmas list would appear taped to the side of the family refrigerator in November. Highlights over the years have included a request for an electric shovel, a 2-liter bottle of Coke, WWF Smackdown for PlayStation as well as “Now That’s What I Call Music”, editions 1-45. She also loved hot dogs, Peeps, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, Cher and Selena. Katie lived with her parents in Medford until the last four years of her life. She was extremely close to her mother and father, both of whom worked tirelessly to advocate for her at a time before the Americans with Disabilities act had passed. In later years, Katie helped take care of her mother and took on many chores around the house. She was also a devoted Aunt who loved her baby niece although denied said niece access to any of her glitter glue, markers or PS games.

Katie was remarkably open hearted to those who knew her. She counseled her bus drivers, camp counselors, coaches, day program staff and touched just about everyone who came into her orbit. Her hugs will be missed SO MUCH. In later years, she lived with her sister and brother-in-law, eventually finding her own, nurturing home in Arnold, Maryland where she lived with her good friend Abby (Abigail Sulerzyski) and fell in love with Abby’s parents, Abby’s nurses and the loving staff at Langton Green who watched over both girls.

Katie brought her own unique view of the world to all who were lucky enough to spend time with her. Her joy was irresistible and infectious, and her light will continue on in the lives of those who loved her.

She is predeceased by her father, Harry J. Walker and mother Elizabeth A. Walker.

She is survived by her big brother Thomas P. Walker of Philadelphia, PA, her favorite sister Wendy R. Walker of Annapolis, MD, her brother-in-law Warren D. Aftahi of Annapolis, M.D, as well as her niece Madeline B. Aftahi. She is also survived by her cousins David Blagys, Peter Blagys, Phil Blagys, Bill Blagys, Marie Stehle and Jean McCann.

There will be a service for Katie’s family and any parishioners at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Medford, NJ (1 Harford Road, Medford, NJ 08055) on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Sun ‘N Fun: https://thearcgloucester.org/get-involved/donate.html or The National Down Syndrome Society: https://ndss.org.