Kathleen Wheeler Martin

Kathleen Wheeler Martin, 68, of Bluffton, SC, died peacefully in her sleep on September 26 following a three-year courageous bout with bladder cancer. During her battle, she attacked the disease head-on with a variety of treatments including chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, and two clinical trials. She faced the disease with incomparable faith and courage, never once complaining about her condition.

Kathleen originally hailed from the South Hills of Pittsburgh and moved to the low country in 2005. She is survived by her husband, Gary, and siblings, a sister, Peggy of Erie, PA, a brother, Danny of Pittsburgh, PA, sister, Julie of Heidleberg, PA and sister, Corrine of Pittsburgh, PA. She had two adult sons, Matthew of Monroeville, PA and Jay of Denver, CO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of relatives in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Kathleen was a graduate from Seton Hill College of Greensburg, PA, with a B.A. in English. She held a number of accounting and other positions in her career but most notably spent a number of years before retirement as a Paralegal for a major law firm in Pittsburgh.

Kathleen had a number of talents but amazed everyone with her love of and ability to rapidly, and accurately, complete The New York Times crossword puzzle of a daily basis, with the thought someday of trying out for her favorite TV show, Jeopardy. She had a penchant for travel and had a particularly strong interest and knowledge of British royal history. As avid readers, she and her husband felt a strong sense of contentment just sitting together on the couch working through book selections, magazine articles, and crossword puzzles. She was, admittedly not an athlete, but later in life developed a passion for tennis and the team companionship it brought. As life would have it, tennis brought Kathleen and Gary together, as they met at a tennis New Year’s Eve party in Pittsburgh in 1999.

Kathleen will be profoundly missed by her family and friends and leaves us with her motto of “dealing with life’s treasures and travails in a positive manner.” She also sends her best regards to all her friends at The Haven who provided support throughout the years.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. The funeral service and burial will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 2900 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to any charity of choice.  

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