Wing, Katherine

Katherine Wing, 85, passed away Oct. 8, 2013, at the Solon Care Center in Solon.

Born July 7, 1928, in Manhattan, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Henry Pruitt Sr. and Katherine Blanks Pruitt. Katherine, also known as Jackie, grew up in the Bronx, primarily at 819 East 168th St., a family home where her two sisters still live. She graduated from Walton High School in the Bronx and earned her B.A. degree in 1951 and M.A. degree in 1953 in English from Hunter College.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational for most of her life. Married to Dr. John Ellison Wing Jr., she had three children while living in California: Professor Adrien K. Wing of Iowa City, Dr. John E. Wing III of Chesapeake, Va., and licensed optician Ellen Juanita Wing of Orange, N.J.

She lived briefly in Indianapolis before moving to Orange, N.J. in 1963. She was a member and an officer in the League of Women Voters. After the death of her husband on Oct. 8, 1965, Katherine did not remarry, but concentrated on raising her three children and ensuring that they had a good education.

She also began a 28-year career teaching English. She taught briefly at Lincoln Elementary and Orange High School in Orange, but spent the bulk of her career in Newark. After teaching at Central High School and Arts High School, she worked for 17 years at Science High School. In 1992, Katherine retired after a rich career that included being the adviser for the Honor Society and also a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. She was known for her incisive intellect, expansive vocabulary, and command of language that positively influenced her children and grandchildren as well as the hundreds of poor, minority students over the decades who were enriched by her tutelage.

In retirement, Katherine enjoyed visiting and taking care of her grandchildren. She also liked walking, swimming, gardening and traveling. Additionally, she participated in Orange community affairs and had a lifelong relationship with Camp Minisink in Port Jervis, N.Y.

In 2010 and 2011, she spent her time between Iowa City and Chesapeake until moving to Iowa City permanently in 2012.

Katherine leaves behind her three children plus seven grandchildren: Samora, Enrique and Malaika Noguera; Che and Nolan Melson; Raina Riggins and Taylor Wing. She also leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Roxanne Wing; son-in-law, James Sommerville; as well as her siblings, Bess, Henry, James Pruitt and Harriett McFeeters; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at Martins Funeral Home in Montclair, N.J., on Friday, Oct. 18, with the viewing from 8 to 10 a.m. and funeral at 10 a.m. Interment: 2 p.m. at Pinelawn National Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Donations in her name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Local arrangements have been made through Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

Published Oct. 12, 2013 in The Gazette