Birth Date:
Tuesday, May 23, 1933
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Mary Katherine Wright Zartman died on October 30, 2024, at her home, The Admiral at the Lake, Chicago. She suffered Parkinson’s but died quietly in her sleep with family gathered round to remember and mourn. 91 at death, she was born on May 23, 1933 in a tiny coal mining camp at Insull, Harlan County, Kentucky, where she spent the first 11 years of her life.
She is survived by her husband, James N. Zartman, children, Judith N. Zartman (Walter Weber), Michael F. Zartman (Armand Cerbone) and Douglas H. Zartman (Nance) and grandchildren, Skyler, Sonia and Aaron Zartman. Kathy’s brother, James Wright, and sister, Susan Stafursky, also survive her.
Kathy’s life counted. In addition to raising a challenging family, she organized and was the first Executive Director of Illinois Citizens for Handgun Control, debating the NRA all over the country. She was Executive Director of the International Visitors Center of Chicago, providing orientation and home stays for foreign diplomats and graduate students. She was President of the Chicago chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, spearheading a national convention of NAMI in Chicago. She helped found and was a member of the first Board of the Seminary Townhouse Association (STA), which in 1975 created a new subdivision (the STA Subdivision) in the heart of Chicago to preserve 56 Queen-Anne style brick townhouses built in the 1880’s in a park-like setting amidst the bustle of the city. She helped found and was the first President of Lincoln Park Village (now the Village Chicago), providing services and support for seniors, so they could remain in their homes as they age. She was a Board member of NARSAD (the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, now the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation), funding mental illness research and education.
She excelled at innovative public service. Ave, Kathy!
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, 747 Third Ave, NYC, NY 10017, or NAMI, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203, or The Village Chicago, 2502 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614.