Wagner ‘stalwart’ of community
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A Blair County trailblazer is being remembered for her staunch commitment to the community and her loved ones.
Katherine "Kathy" Wagner died Monday, Aug. 14, from cancer at UPMC Altoona. She was 63.
"I've known Kathy for as long as I've been in Altoona, so around 13 years," said Monsignor Michael Becker of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. "She has always been an outstanding example of what it means to be a good human being."
An Altoona native, Wagner had been a longtime member of the parish. She was "very engaged" with the diocese and was a finance committee member for the Diocese of Altoona/Johnstown, Becker said, adding that she worked closely with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak.
"Her passing is a real loss for the parish and the whole community," Becker said. "The bishop is planning to be present at the funeral, so that says a lot about her influence."
A 1977 graduate of Altoona Area High School, Wagner went on to graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She then began her career as an accountant with Moses & Johnson before moving on to Young, Oakes, Brown & Company.
David Scott, a partner at Young, Oakes, Brown & Company, said he worked with Wagner for seven years starting in 1978.
"The thing about her, she was actually a trailblazer," Scott said. "She was the first female accountant in the firm, maybe even in Blair County."
Scott said that he was lucky to have worked with her and that Wagner was a "really good accountant" and a good person.
"It's a very sad situation," Scott said. "Her passing is very sad, really. She did give a lot back to the community with her services to nonprofits. She's a big loss to the area."
Wagner worked for more than 25 years at The Blair Companies, most recently as the chief financial officer, President Andrea Cohen said.
"I called her my work sister," Cohen said. "She was a trusted and respected colleague, as well as a dear friend. Kathy was always kind, considerate and dedicated to her work and finding the right solution. I will miss our daily talks and working together."
Cohen said that Wagner led "all aspects of the financial operations for Blair Companies" and was an expert in employee benefits, corporate tax and insurance.
"Everyone who worked with her recognized her dedication and commitment to our businesses and our family," Cohen said.
A Kathy Wagner Memorial Scholarship will be established through the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation by Cohen's family and their business, Cohen said.
"We want to perpetuate Kathy's ideals and her love for our community," Cohen said. "Blair County high school students who plan to attend a regional college or university and major in accounting will have the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, which will be awarded annually."
Blair Companies CEO Philip Devorris said that Wagner was both a business partner and close friend.
"She loved what she did," Devorris said. "When she got ill a year ago, she told me that she loved her job and wanted to work and keep doing what she was doing all the way until the end. She was just one of the best financial people I've come across anywhere. Everyone would ask her for advice."
Wagner would regularly help other community organizations, both profit and nonprofit, Devorris said.
She had also been a board member at the Altoona Symphony Orchestra and the Home Nursing Agency. President and CEO of Reliance Bank Phil Freeman said that Wagner was on the board when he was the Home Nursing Agency chief operating officer and that they had been friends for the past 35 years.
Freeman described Wagner as being a "very confident and professional executive" and that she was always "very dedicated to the community."
"She was a stalwart of the community," Freeman said. "She was always there when you needed her and gave solid advice. I'm going to miss her in the community and as a friend."
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, with Monsignor Michael Becker, celebrant. Committal will take place at Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of Kathy's life will be held for family and friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, at The Casino at Lakemont Park.
The family requests that contributions be made in Kathy's memory to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Home Nursing Agency Foundation.
Condolences may be made at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., (stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com) or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.