Kathleen L. Oppermann

Kathleen L. Wade Oppermann, 92, a native and longtime resident of Stockbridge, passed away Thursday, February 1, at Mount Greylock

Extended Care in Pittsfield where she had resided since August.

Born February 23, 1931, a daughter of Clyde E. and Marjorie A. Bergeron Wade, she grew up in Interlaken, attended Stockbridge schools, and graduated in 1949 from Williams High School. On March 24, 1951 she married her childhood neighbor, Kenneth A. Oppermann, at the Interlaken Congregational Church. They enjoyed nearly fifty years together until his passing in December of 1998.

She was first employed as the Stockbridge town secretary until becoming secretary at the former Indian Hill School in Stockbridge. In 1974 she became Administrative Assistant at Chesterwood where she remained for over twenty years until her retirement.

She was active in town affairs and was a member of the Stockbridge Finance Committee for twenty years. She was actively involved with the Williams High School Alumni Association and was an author of the school's Alumni Directory. She was deeply interested in Interlaken and Stockbridge history and was a longtime member of the Stockbridge Historical Society. She had done extensive genealogy work on both the Wade and Bergeron families, and was also a longtime member and officer of the First Resistance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was a fiercely competitive Bridge player both in Stockbridge and in Florida. She was a lifetime member of the former Interlaken Congregational Church and belonged also to the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge for much of her life.

Kathleen and Kenneth spent their lives together at their home on Sergeant Street, taking on house projects, tending to their immaculate yard and extensive flower and vegetable gardens, and entertaining their wide circle of family and lifelong friends. They enjoyed collecting and restoring old furniture and objects and were skilled ballroom dancers. They loved to travel and over the years saw much of the United States, Europe, and parts of North Africa. In retirement they became "snowbirds" and wintered with the Berkshire County community in Venice, Florida. After Kenneth's passing Kathleen moved to Venice year-round, returning home to the Berkshires last year to be near her family.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Clyde E. Wade, Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn W. Carr of Great Barrington, as well as her nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Friday, February 9, at 11:30 in Stockbridge Cemetery with the Rev Brent Damrow, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, officiating. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.