Kathy Ellen Wichterman

Kathy Wichterman passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025. Kathy was born on New Years Day, 1958 to Rose and Alvin Wichterman while they were stationed in Athens, Greece. She largely grew up in Falls Church, Virginia with some years in Greece. She graduated from Bishop Denis J O'Connell High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University. She lived in Fairfax, VA for many decades and had a long career at Unisys which included working as sub-contract administrator. Along the way she met people that became lifelong friends such as roommates in college, another student traveling by plane back from Africa after also visiting parents stationed there, Unisys co-workers, an instructor in a karate class and many others. Kathy was outgoing and friendly to nearly everyone she met. Those that knew her experienced contagious laughter, generosity and love. She would ask thoughtful questions and keep track of things going on in the lives of those she was close to. She consistently volunteered her time, remembered birthdays, sent thank you notes, noticed the unusual things and gifts from God in the world, celebrated successes and prayed for and supported others. She loved visiting, sharing meals (especially Thai) and seeing concerts, plays and movies with friends and family and was a terrific scrap booker, singer and traveling companion (including on several trips to NYC and beaches). Kathy was a beloved friend, sister, daughter, cousin, and niece and is sorely missed. We are very thankful for the compassionate and capable care Kathy received from the caregivers, nurses and staff of Memory Lane Home and Open Arms Hospice. While frontotemporal dementia took away many abilities including her ability to converse, Kathy was still expressive and many of us experienced laughter, song and the light of her presence. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Al, and is survived by her sister, Beth, brother-in-law, Bill. fiancé, Artie, Aunt Vergie, Aunt Vera and many cousins. A funeral mass will be held at St. Ambrose in Annandale, VA on Saturday, November 15th at 12 pm followed by interment at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va at 2 pm.

Donations in Kathy's memory can be made to Memory Lane Home (Ypsilanti, MI), the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (aftd.org), the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center Wellness Initiative Fund at the University of Michigan (https://giving.umich.edu/basket/fund/321739), Catholic Charities of America, James Madison University or Bishop Denis J O'Connell High School.