Kathleen H. Vogelman | Editor, volunteer, 88

Kathleen Healing Vogelman, 88, a former editor and volunteer, died Monday, Nov. 22, of complications from dementia at Rose Tree Place, a retirement facility in Media.

Born in Woodhaven, N.Y., Mrs. Vogelman moved to Philadelphia at 11 and was in the first graduating class of Little Flower High School in 1941.

She graduated in 1946 from Temple University with a bachelor of science degree in economics and a minor in journalism. She worked for the Budd Co. editing a weekly newspaper and monthly magazine.

In 1949, she married John Vogelman; the two had met while he was on furlough from the Army.

"I was looking up a friend. I went over to Percy Healing's house, and who answers the door but a blonde with a dimple in her cheek," recalled her husband. He was hooked immediately.

The couple moved to Camden County, where she founded the Barrington News and edited the newspaper for four years, until their third child was born, her husband said. At that time, she disbanded the newspaper and concentrated on volunteer church work.

Over the years, the family moved to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Iowa, finally retiring to Drexel Hill in 1989.

Mrs. Vogelman was a longtime volunteer camp counselor for inner-city children. She also provided meals and services to the sick, participated in interfaith dialogues, and directed religious education.

She served as eucharistic minister at St. Bernadette of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Delaware County before she became ill in 2008.

Surviving are her husband, John; sons Stephen, Gregory, and Andrew; a daughter, Patrice; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at St. Bernadette of Lourdes Church, 1010 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill, where friends may call after 9:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Bernadette School Scholarship Fund.