Kathy J. Meagher, 50 - A Obituary

While on a youth retreat with my students this past weekend, I received news that Kathy Meagher, a long-time principal for Maryland School for the Deaf, has passed away from a "long courageous battle against cancer." I have been blessed to know her as a friend at school because she was prominent in allowing me to freely share my faith through the See You at the Pole (SYATP) prayer rallies and in my Senior yearbook (2005). I hoped to visit her sometime before too long, but circumstances did not allow for that visit to happen. However, I'm relieved to know that she is now with our Father in Heaven and free of cancer. My prayers and condolences goes to the Meagher and Staab families as they cope with the loss of their loved one.

Here's her obituary from The Herald-Mail for your information.

JUNE 22, 1958-JANUARY 22, 2009

FREDERICK, Md. - Kathy Jo Meagher (nee Staab), 50, of Frederick, Md., died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at home surrounded by her family after a long courageous battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Richard T. Meagher and their children, Kathryn, 18, Emily, 17 and Matthew, 13.

Kathy was born June 22, 1958, in Mountville, Pa., to Kathryn Pauline (Rottmund) Staab and the late Joseph Patrick Staab. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Staab and his wife, Terry, of Lititz, Pa. She was an aunt and great-aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

Kathy earned her bachelor's degree from Bloomsburg (Pa.) State College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Deaf Education. She received her master's degree from State University of New York, Geneseo, in Deaf Education for students ages 3 through 21.

She worked her entire career at Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, where she retired as principal in 2005. She began her career there as a teacher in 1981 and also served as a supervising teacher.

Kathy was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church.

The family will receive friends Monday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick. A Christian wake will be held Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 118 E. Second St., Frederick. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. The Rev. Richard J. Murphy will be celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kathy J. Meagher Memorial Scholarship for students affected by cancer in care of The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 E. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701.

Atheists' Holy Day: April 1st

I received this story through an e-mail forward message, and it was too good to let it pass! Enjoy!

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case Against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah,yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

Unusual Words

Adoxography - Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

Gargalesthesia -  The sensation caused by tickling

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian - Pertaining to extremely long words (Bruce's note: that's pretty obvious here...)

Oculoplania - Letting one's eyes wander while assessing someone's charms

I bet you don't know those words! Go to Unusual Words to find many more of those words and impress your colleagues, professors, or even your parents!

Happy spelling!

23 Photographic Truths

1) The best scenic views are clearly designated by highway signs reading NO STOPPING ANYTIME.

2) Edward Steichen owned a three-legged dog, which he named Tripod.

3) The Post Office folds all parcels containing photographs.

4) Camera straps never fail above soft surfaces.

5) Lens caps can become invisible at will.

6) Financial success in photography is directly related to proper choice of subject matter. Falling airplanes, exploding volcanoes, and certain Presidential motorcades work best.

7) No two light meters agree.

8) The work "Daguerreotype" cannot be spelled correctly.

9) A new Hasselblad would take better pictures than your present camera.

10) 1/60 at f/8 is the correct exposure for all photographs.

11) When your friends finally realize that you are a true artist, committed to making sensitive and meaningful images, they will ask you to photograph their wedding.

12) Color slide viewing cures insomnia.

13) On any tripod, only two legs work properly.

14) Dust spot are attracted to sky areas.

15) YES, DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHERS DO IT IN THE DARK... but they have to stop every thirty seconds to agitate.

16) There is nothing wrong with a Point & Shoot camera that a SLR can't cure.

17) Ansel Adams has three Secret Zones known only to him.

18) Fast ISO speeds compensate for slow photographers.

19) Mounting a photograph is a misdemeanor in Arkansas.

20) Owning more than one lens assures that you will always have the wrong lens on the camera for any given picture.

21) A camera store will charge $200 to repair a camera that has been adjusted with a butter knife.

22) Falling lenses are attracted to rocks.

23) Into every life a little dust and digital noise must fall.