Therese T. Walter Ph.D.

Therese T. Walter, Ph.D., returned to the home of her First Husband on September 27, 2015. She was born the third child and only daughter of Frank and Mary Wardzinski Toflinski.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Frank "Fritz" Toflinski and John Toflinski.

Therese is survived by her longtime love, Doyle Kennedy. She is also survived by a nephew, John Toflinski, a niece Sandi Toflinski. Many great-nieces and great-nephews also complete the family.

After attending parochial schools in Erie, Therese entered the Benedictine Sisters. While there, she taught in Sharon, Pa., Northeast, Pa., and at St. Benedict Academy. Upon leaving, she worked in the School District City of Erie and the Allegheny County Schools. While in Pittsburgh, she served 46 school districts and was promoted through a series of positions culminating in Assistant Executive Director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. During this time, she earned a B.S. from Mercyhurst College, an M.A. from New York University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She also completed post-doctoral work in educational administration at the University of Pittsburgh.

Therese became the eighth female superintendent in Pennsylvania when she was chosen by the General McLane School Board to lead the district. She served for 23 years as superintendent and described the job as "having died and went to heaven." She always wanted to work alongside good people doing good things for children, and she got her wish there.

During her career, Therese served on many boards, including secretary of the National Business Education Association and president of the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She was honored for her work and especially favored two distinctions. She was grateful to be chosen by her colleagues as one of the "Six Top Superintendents in Pennsylvania" and was featured in a doctoral dissertation documenting her style of leadership. She was also honored by the General McLane Board of School Directors with the dedication of the Therese T. Walter Educational Center.

No calling hours will be observed, and all arrangements are private and being handled by the Carl A. Slomski & Son Funeral Home Inc. Memorials may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie or the Therese T. Walter Scholarship Fund at General McLane School District.

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