Catherine Ann Swartz Gipko

On the shoals of Nowhere, Wastedmy song Yet taken by the sea wind And blown along. (Langston Hughes, Flotsam)

A persons life speaks in subtle waysthrough a gentle touch, an understanding silence, and the right word spoken at the decisive moment. In this manner, Catherine Swartz Gipko will live on through her words and deeds for the many people she knew and loved. The loving mother and devoted sister and grandmother died on December 6, 2010 after a short illness. Born June 7, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her life was characterized by hope in the future and a lifelong commitment to teaching and learning. As the daughter of devoted parentsthe former Andrew and Margaret (nee Gress) Swartz, she learned the values of hard work and love of family. She graduated with a BA from Duquesne University in 1971 and worked as a social worker before becoming an educator and intervention coordinator with the Green (Ohio) school district. As an administrator, she won several outstanding educator awards and eventually earned her MA in education from Walsh University in 1997. A longtime resident of North Canton, Ohio, she was active in the community as a Cub Scout leader and member of various committees. After her retirement, she relocated to Cornelius, North Carolina and worked on developing online educational initiatives. She is survived by her children: Joe and Melissa Purdy of Cornelius; Jesse and Christine Gipko of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Cherie Gipko of Cornelius. She is also survived by her brother, John Swartz of Washington, Pennsylvania, and grandson, Nathaniel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at http://www.michaeljfox.org/help_honorMemoryGifts.cfm.