Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....(Weich) Katzmark, Judith Ann March 23, 2005
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K T bluewolf@onemain.com April 7, 2005, 12:32 am

The Tehachapi News 
Judith Ann Katzmark
Oct. 24, 1940 – March 23, 2005

Born Judith Ann Weich on Oct. 24, 1940, she passed away on March 23.

The example of Judith’s life remains an inspiration. Her desire not to burden 
others with her debilitating physical disabilities speaks to her courage and 
character. She had such large handicaps during the course of her life. Yet she 
achieved seeming insurmountable obstacles to fulfill her goals.

Judith suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis since she was 9. From that 
time on she underwent numerous medical procedures from hip transplants to a 
body “halo” to keep from being permanently paralyzed.

Regardless of her extreme handicap, Judith Katzmark went on to be a tenured 
teacher and world traveler. 

Daughter of an air force officer, Judith was born in Portland, Ore., and 
experienced educational opportunities in such places as Madrid and Seville, 
Spain, and Munich, Germany. She graduated from high school in Oxnard and 
received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in history.   

Judith married Peter Katzmark in St. Louis, Mo. following her undergraduate 
work. The Katzmarks relocated to Santa Barbara in l970. 

Even with progressive arthritic battles, Judith gained a master’s degree in 
Spanish from the University of Santa Barbara.  

Judith had a passion for genealogy and was a founding editor of the Santa 
Barbara genealogical society, Ancestors West. She was a member of the National 
Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the Rogue Valley 
Genealogical Society.  

While in Santa Barbara, Judith received bilateral hip surgery, causing further 
difficulties with her ability to walk. Despite this setback, Judith moved to 
Tehachapi to begin her career as a Spanish teacher. For 16 years, she 
committed to her profession. She made many friends and participated in 
numerous community activities.

In 1995, Judith retired from teaching. She decided to return to her native 
Oregon and participated in the design of an attractive dream-home condo in 
Mountain Meadows in Ashland. 

Her hope of continuing travel to visit family and friends afar was never fully 
realized, however, due to her advancing physical deterioration.

On March 23, Judith passed away at her home at the age of 64. She was always 
optimistic and lived a full, productive life. She will be missed.

Judith is survived by her brother, Bob Weich of Oxnard; niece, Kim Weich of 
Washington, D.C.; nephews, John Weich of Amsterdam, Netherlands and Daren 
Weich of Bend, Ore.; and her dearest lifetime friends, Ria and Adrian Maaskant 
of Tehachapi.

She was preceded in death by both parents.
 

 

Additional Comments:

Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased. 


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