Kathleen Schatz

MADISON-Kathleen Schatz, of Madison, formerly of Philadelphia, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 1, 2013. The daughter of Mary and Steven Schatz, she was born on July 21, 1961, in Champaign, Illinois. She moved to Madison when she was six, graduated from La Follette High School and attended the University of Wisconsin for a few years. While taking classes, she worked at the Fess Hotel and enjoyed living near the capitol square. Kathleen found her true passion when she moved east to attend the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, graduating with a degree in textile engineering. She had a lifelong love for fabrics and weaving and she developed this professionally into an expertise in how high-tech fibers could be woven together to develop all kinds of innovative products. She worked as Research Engineer and Textile Consultant at Drexel University and a number of companies. She loved living in Philadelphia, and enjoyed meeting and becoming friends with many talented like-minded people there. Later, she attended Temple University Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctorate. Law school was as much about satisfying her intellectual curiosity as developing a new career direction. She practiced in a Philadelphia law firm for a few years, but her love of weaving and innovative new products eventually drew her back to textile engineering. Whether working in engineering or law, she was always a hard worker, a creative problem solver and a good natured employee, adored by her colleagues. Kathleen always thought of her family first, and when her mother’s dementia worsened, she decided to leave Philadelphia to care for her in Madison. Although it was so hard to leave her life and friends in Philadelphia, she was absolutely committed to making sure that her mother’s later years were filled with the love and comfort she deserved. Kathleen’s sudden tragic loss is felt deeply by her family, and by her many friends in Madison and Philadelphia. She is survived by her parents; her sister, Susan Schatz; brothers, Mark and David Schatz; sister-in-law, Patty Schatz; niece, Sierra Schatz; and her nephew, Brendan Schatz. We all want her to know how much we loved her and how fortunate we were to have her in our lives. Please join us for a Celebration of Kathleen’s life at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association: (www.alz.org/) or the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin (www.alzwisc.org). Please join us for a Celebration of Kathleen’s life at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013.