THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409250003
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Kathleen Ripley, 63, died Sept. 24, 1994, in Virginia Beach.
Mrs. Ripley was born in Yorktown, Va., a member of Larchmont United Methodist Church, Norfolk. In 1956 she began her career with the Norfolk Public Schools. In 1957 she worked with the Norfolk Educational TV Experiment. In 1971 she wrote the Title Three Grant that created the ``Talented Pupil Programs'' and held positions as consultant, supervisor, senior coordinator and principal of the Stuart Gifted Center. She graduated from Maury High School in 1949; then graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in speech and theatre in 1953; in 1960 she received her master's degree in education from the College of William and Mary; from 1954-56 she entertained U.S. troops with the Armed Forces Special Services in France and Germany. She was one of the founding members of the National Association of Gifted Children. She held leadership roles at both the state and local levels. She was one of the founding members and past Chair of the Southeastern Virginia Council of Coordination of the Gifted, one of the founding members and past Chair of the Tidewater Governor's School for the Performing Arts, a member of the Norfolk Gifted Advisory Council 1971-94, and a member of the Virginia Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, International Organization for Women in Education.
Survivors include a daughter, Monique L. Thomas of Virginia Beach; a son, Wesley P. Schoonmaker of Norfolk; and a brother, Keith D. Ripley of Norwich, Conn.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in Forest Lawn Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. in the Larchmont United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kathleen Ripley Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor her lifelong commitment to the needs of all children, but, particularly the special needs of gifted children. If you wish to contribute send c/o Stuart Gifted Center, 446 Virginia Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23508. Cox Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB