Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship Fund Honors Legacy of Well-Known Frederick Educator

July 15, 2009: Throughout her professional career, the late Kathy Meagher was a well-loved educator at the Maryland School for the Deaf. She was an English teacher in the High School department for nearly 20 years, and also served as supervising teacher for the Middle and High School. She accepted the Principal position for the Frederick Campus in the fall of 2003 and served there until her retirement in 2005. Kathy devoted her professional life to education, yet she also dedicated numerous hours to volunteering as well, serving as both a Girl Scout leader and as a parent representative on the advisory board for the Frederick County Public School’s Academy of Finance at the Career and Technology Center.

Kathy’s love of education made her a caring and thoughtful teacher who used creative teaching styles to make every child feel included in the classroom. Her success as a teacher expanded into the community through her volunteer work where Kathy’s knowledge and positive attitude made her an asset to every team. Kathy’s great outlook on life was admired by those whose lives she brightened with her warm smile and thoughtful ways. 

When Kathy was diagnosed with cancer in 1993, the strength she demonstrated throughout her entire life carried her and her family through the roughest days of treatment. Sadly, Kathy lost her long and courageous battle with cancer on January 22, 2009.

Her husband, Rick, and their children Kathryn, Emily, and Matthew, sought a meaningful way to honor her memory and her dedication to education, but also to help others who have been affected by cancer. They have done just that by establishing The Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship Fund at The Community Foundation of Frederick County to provide scholarships to graduates of Frederick County Public Schools whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

“With three teenagers at home, experiencing a loss makes it is easy for us to see how cancer could devastate college plans for a family,” said Rick Meagher. “We are blessed that this will not affect our family’s plans for higher education and are very happy to be able to assist students in similar circumstances. This will be a tribute to Kathy for a long time.”

To honor Kathy’s memory and to raise funds for future scholarships, The Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament 2009 will be held at the Montgomery Country Club in Laytonsville, Maryland on Monday, September 14, 2009. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The day will also include golf contests, dinner, a silent auction and door prizes. Additional information on The Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament 2009 can be found at www.golf4scholarship.org or by e-mailing golf4scholarship@aol.com.

Memorial funds are one of the many ways The Community Foundation of Frederick County transforms the unique charitable dreams of individuals, families and organizations into the reality of charitable funds supporting a range of worthy causes. Over one-fourth of the funds held by the Community Foundation honor the memories of deceased loved ones by continuing to touch lives in meaningful ways in their names. To date, the Community Foundation has provided more than $19 million in scholarships and grants throughout Frederick County.

Those who wish to make a difference in the lives of others may make a secure, online donation to The Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship Fund. To do so, click here. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County with the Fund’s name inserted in the memo line, may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For additional information about the Community Foundation, call 301.695.7660.