Katherine Ann Wildman, 1967-2003
Katherine was married to Gordon Emerson Berry (Geb) in 1999 and is the mother of two daughters Mireille Severine Wildman Berry, age three, and Lucy Savannah Wildman Berry , age two. She is survived by her parents Jack and Peggy Wildman, her brother John Wildman and his wife Deirdre and their three children, Kelsey, David and Michala.
Katherine was known for her caring nature, hard work and love of cultural discovery. Though always discrete, she had a competitive edge and inner beauty that always made her out in a crowd.
Public Health was her profession and Maternal and Children’s Health was her passion, which began after attending the University of Virginia and serving as a Volunteer in Zimbabwe> for 18 months. She then did field research in Washington , D.C at John Snow Inc and earned her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina. After completing a dissertation about AIDS in Tanzania, she continued doing field research in maternal health in Paris, France.
A gifted athlete, she was a softball stud, and enjoyed diving and swimming with her husband and two daughters, along the way exploring the world and spending time with a continually expanding circle of extended family and friends. Her research was just published in the Oxford Journal of Medicine.
Her calm voice, radiant smile and glowing eyes are what all will remember best. For Katherine with love Katherine-seldom did you bedeck yourself with any jewel.
Your best adornment has always been your most precious self.
You have been our pearl--of great price, most rare.
To be robbed of you rends us,
imposes a loss unspeakably cruel.
In truth, there is no jewel that ever was worthy for you to wear
No gem whose value could begin to compare:
Though-like a diamond that gathers in the rainbow's light-
Your many facets always cut to the heart of the hardest matter
And though-like an emerald, springing green with hope-
Such precious new lives have sprung from you
And guided by your example will continue taking flight.
Though-like a star sapphire-that velvety bluest blue-
You have always radiated with sincerity,
With passion for what is most truly true
And though-like a ruby's most precious red-
The glow of love has burned so bright
In you that we all are warmed.
Though-like that often sought yellow gold-
We have found such comfort and such delight in you.
And though-like your birthstone, turquoise,
deemed in days of old
Of all the elements the one most metaphysical-
We find you have been crafted of a substance
more than mortal,
Most worthy to be held in perpetuity.
And though-like all of these, your body now is cold and of the earth-
You have given forth such precious light and clarity-
You have brought such brilliant varied color to our lives-
Your afterglow illuminates us now into eternity.
With love, Mary Hynes-Berry, November 24, 2003
Katherine Ann WildmanDecember 4, 1967 to November 24, 2003
Caring Mother
Loving Wife, K-DUB
Treasured Sister
Devoted Daughter
Favorite Aunt
Loyal Friend
Public Health Professional, PHD
Maternal and Infant Health Specialist
Published Scientist
Dr Wildthing
Fearless World Traveler
Gracious Hostess
Softball Queen
Playful Heart
Cosmopolitan Kath
Fashion Maven
Sous Chef Extrordinaire
Recognized Polyglot at last
Memories of Katherine, Salle Capitulaire, Maternité Cochin
Dec 1, 2003, 12:45 PM
With Mireille, 2000 With Savannah 2002