Submitted by: Dan Rich
Katherine I. DeWeese
South Bend TRibune 2/14/2001
Katherine I. (O'Connor) DeWeese, 88, most recently of the Fountainview Nursing Home, Mishawaka, Ind., died on Sunday, Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mrs. DeWeese was born in Chicago, Ill., on April 13, 1912. She was the second of three daughters born to Timothy J. and Ida (Germann) O'Connor. She grew up in Chicago and attended elementary and secondary schools there. She did further course work at several institutions before embarking on a career in medical technology at United Airlines. Based at Midway Airport, her work in the infant aviation industry took her to many of the nation's first and famous airports.
On June 6, 1942, she married Herbert W. DeWeese, a pioneer in aviation engineering. When the United States entered World War II, the family relocated to Long Island, N.Y., which was proximate to Mr. DeWeese's work at the United States Navy's underwater research laboratory at Columbia University. After the war, the couple settled in Rockville Centre, Long Island. They had three daughters who survive, Mary Andrea Ripple of South Bend, Ind., Patricia Ayn Williams of New York City and Debra Lee Miller of Rockville Centre.
After her husband's death in 1963, Mrs. DeWeese reentered the aviation industry and worked as a medical technician for Trans World Airlines at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. She later became the supervisor of the radiation therapy department at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre where she continued to work until she was 75.
In 1988, Mrs. DeWeese moved to South Bend, and lived in the Country Village community of Georgetown in Clay Township. She continued to work in medicine by doing, on a volunteer basis, medical screening at the Chapin Street Clinic. She also worked as a volunteer at the Faith, Hope and Charity Chapel on Wayne Street in South Bend. She was also an active member of the Michiana Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America. She continued her life-long interests in antiques and doll houses.
In addition to her daughters, Mrs. DeWeese is survived by her sister, Josephine Moore of Homewood, Ill. Her elder sister, Sister Mary Timothy, S.P., preceded her in death. Mrs. DeWeese also leaves seven grandchildren, Gregory P. Ripple of South Bend, Nila W. Williams of New York City, Raymond M. Ripple of South Bend, Christopher A. Ripple of South Bend, Aaron Williams of New York City, Dana Miller of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and Lauren Miller, also of Rockville Centre, N.Y. She also is survived by a great-granddaughter, Madeleine J. Ripple of South Bend.
Friends may call at Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, on Friday, Feb. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment will take place at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, Long Island, N.Y. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mrs. DeWeese through a memorial make a donation to the donor's favorite charity.