Kathryn G. Shaifer

You always knew what was on Kathy Shaifer's mind. She gave all of us, family and friends, permission to be our authentic selves, just as she was. She made us feel accepted and special. Kathy was one of a kind. She passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 88, after a very unexpected and brief experience with lung cancer. Kathy was the daughter of Fredrick Herman Gloeckner, who in 1906 came to the United States through Ellis Island armed with only a sixth-grade education. Kathy's father delivered laundry for his mother in order to support his family. Kathy's mother, Louise Carpenter Gloeckner, was the first woman Vice President of the American Medical Association. Kathy is survived by her six children, Stephen, John, Peter, Andrew, Katie, and Mary, and remains adored by her husband of 63 years, Carl. She has 13 grandchildren, James, Danny, Drew, Bayne, Susannah, Charlotte, Thomas, Jake, Sawyer, Caroline Shaifer and Connor, Sarah, and Clare Murphey. She is also survived by three daughters-in-law, Linda, Elizabeth, and Amy Shaifer, a son-in-law, Christopher Murphey, a granddaughter-in-law, Chezzy, and significant others, Adam Morrow and Tracey Wolfson. She is also survived by nine nieces and nephews. Kathy never missed her children's events including, theater performances, dance recitals, and, of course, her beloved wrestling matches. She was a Germantown Friends Tiger, an Oberlin Yeoman, and as a Villanova Wildcat, earned a Master's in Geriatric Counseling. She ran parent associations at the William Penn Charter School and the Springside School. As a professional, Kathy spent her early years at IBM, and, after the kids were grown, she was the Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society and she was the Marketing Director of Springfield Residence. Her ashes were spread on January 25, 2023. A Memorial Service will be held on February 19, 2023, at Summit Presbyterian Church, 6757 Greene Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19119 at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held following the service at the church. If you want to share a memory with Carl and the family, please consider sending a message to this dedicated email: kathyshaifer23@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Summit Presbyterian Church at the address above.