Rankin

Mary Kathleen Rankin, 64, of Butler died early Saturday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh after courageously confronting for 13 years the challenges consequent to a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome.

Kathy, a rare woman, was born Aug. 15, 1943, in Harmony, daughter of the late Erwin J. and Erma D. Druschel Knoechel.

A graduate of Point Park College, West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh, Kathy welcomed each day's opportunities to adore, enjoy, excite, inspire, learn, teach, travel and work.

Her friends and interests included those from Alaska to Antarctica, Japan to Micronesia and Central America to Scandinavia, baking, gardening, driving, music, open-water diving, photography, pysanky and volunteering her skills and talents.

Surviving are her husband, Robert L. Rankin of Butler; three sisters, Eleanor A. Burns and Patricia E. Knoechel, both of Carlsbad, Calif., and Judith L. Knoechel of San Marcos, Calif.; and a brother, Bruce E. Knoechel of Zelienople. All, who along with brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families, shall dearly miss her until they laugh together again.

Kathy valued the special friendships and work of those many aides, companions and nurses that helped her while she resided at St. John Lutheran Care Center in Mars.

<B>Rankin </B>— Friends of Mary Kathleen Rankin, who died Saturday, May 3, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Rev. John Hoogerbrugge will officiate. Cremation services provided by the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made from those interested in advancing neurodegenerative syndrome science to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) in Danbury Conn., by accessing www.rarediseases.org.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.