Kathleen East Walker

Kathleen East Walker

1939-2025

Kathleen East Walker, 85, of Boyds, MD, passed away on April 11, 2025 at home.

She was the loving wife of the late Dr. R. Thomas Walker, Jr.

Born April 16, 1939 in Greenbelt, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Sherrod Exum East and Dorothy L. Parsons East. She was the first baby born in the Greenbelt hospital.

Kathleen is survived by her children: Allison Walker Fiore, husband Stephen of Orlando, FL, Kate Walker De Mattos, husband Herbert of Boyds, MD, Matthew Walker of Boyds, MD, and she is Nomie to Mical Cecealia Owens of Washington, D.C. Kathleen's family also includes two sisters and one brother; Marian East Rubach (deceased), Ellen Dionna Hover, Dover, PA, William Parham East (deceased), and five grandchildren: Alexis East Fiore Works married to William Works, Lia Marie Fiore, Caelan Thomas Connolly, Liam Walker Connolly and Ryan Hendry Walker.

Kathleen graduated from Washington Lee High School in 1957. From there she attended Hiram College where she majored in Drama and English earning her Bachelor of Arts degree (1961). At Hiram she was active in the college's theater productions as an actor, stage crew member and director. Following her graduation, Kathleen was involved in teaching and theatrical endeavors in Columbus, OH and Baltimore, MD.

Once Kathleen and Tom started a family, motherhood became her new devoted vocation. She was an exceptional mother who's empathetic nature enabled her to cater to the unique personalities and talents of each of her children. Generous with her maternal love, Kathleen shared it with nieces, nephews, friends and opened her heart and home to anyone in need.

Kathleen worked for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation where she devoted her expertise to helping expand the county's summer camp offerings. She was the creator and founding director of Theater Camp, and she designed and implemented other camp programming for arts and nature such as, Arts Etc, Camp Imagine, Hidden Spring and Bramble Hill.

Kathleen, Oma, also instilled in her grandchildren a love of theater, dance and art. Alexis pursued dance, Lia, Liam and Ryan theater and Caelan ceramics.

Kathleen was a member of the Sugarloaf Congregation of Unitarian Universalist Church, and meditation and spiritual groups.

In lieu of flowers, Kathleen has asked that donations be made in her name to the National Parks Conservation Association. You may call (202) 223-6722, or use their website: https://support.npca.org/page/55687/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=tb2gnsmq

She will always be remembered for her warm hospitality, compassion, creativity, encouragement and love.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road Frederick, MD 21703