Obituary of Wanda K. Catherman Garbrick

Wanda K. Catherman Garbrick, of Pine Grove Mills, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born Feb. 22, 1955, in Bellefonte, she was a daughter of the late Carl and Grace Catherman. She married Steven Garbrick, who survives at home.

Wanda graduated from Penn State in 1976 with a B.S. in elementary education, and earned her master's in education from Bloomsburg University in 1991. Wanda spent much of her teaching career working as a reading specialist. She taught at the Bellefonte Area School District. At the end of the 2008-09 school year, she had completed 32 years of service. Since 1999, she taught English as a Second Language for BASD. Beginning in 2003, she was also an ESL program specialist course instructor for the Central Intermediate Unit. Wanda was passionate about the field of English as a Second Language, having worked through the Pennsylvania Department of Education in various capacities, including workshop presenter and online course developer. She took immense pride in serving her students at the Bellefonte Area School District.

She also had a great passion for the arts and drama, serving as drama director for Bellefonte Area High School and Middle School for many years. Wanda also delighted in her family: her husband, her son, her daughter and her daughter-in-law; and took great joy in the arrival of her first grandchild, Audrey, in 2008. She loved to read to Audrey and to take her out for breakfast.

Along with her husband, Wanda is survived by her son, Sean Miller and his wife, Laura, of Allentown; her daughter, Meredith Miller, of Bellefonte; her granddaughter, Audrey Miller; three brothers,Jack Catherman, Bill Catherman and Ray Catherman; and her sister, Mary Ann "Sis" Hockenberry.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers Wanda would have asked that people make financial contributions to the Bellefonte Area Middle School Library. Contributions can be mailed to Bellefonte Area School District, 318 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA 16823-1613.