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 Katherine Akers, 90
 November 26, 2014
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Katherine Akers, 90, of Sweetwood Retirement Community died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at home in Williamstown.
Born in Titusville, Pa., on Nov. 28, 1923, the fourth and last daughter of Alexander Nes and Frances Craig Warner, she graduated from Wellesley College in 1946 and earned a master of social work from Columbia University in 1953.
Mrs. Akers had a long career in social services, first at St Luke's Hospital in Philadelphia and later, after her children were in high school, as a fund developer for a newly formed board dedicated to building the first Cheshire Home in the United States. In England, Cheshire Homes were developed by Sir Leonard Cheshire after World War II as an alternative to long-term geriatric nursing home residence for young adults with lifelong physical disabilities. After her work with Cheshire, she was hired by Jersey Battered Women's Service in Morristown to raise funds for a new women's shelter.
She met her husband, John Akers, when he was a student on the GI Bill at the Philadelphia Textile Institute. They married on Sept. 16, 1950, and moved to Greenwich Village, N.Y., where their first child, Susan, was born. In 1954, they moved to Florham Park, N.J., where three sons, John, James and Richard, joined the family. They moved again in 1958 to Madison, N.J., where they lived for the next 30 years.
In June 1987, she and her husband pursued semi-retirement in Mayville, N.Y., next to the Chautauqua Institution on Lake Chautauqua, known for its summer season of performing, visual and cultural arts.
Here she continued her professional activities working for Amicae, a Jamestown organization serving domestic violence victims. She also continued volunteering with local organizations, including as an ombudsman for the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging.
Throughout her adult life, Mrs. Akers spent countless hours as a volunteer for several church, school and community organizations, including the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey, and the Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey.
In October 2009, she and her husband retired to Williamstown, where they enjoyed visits from family and friends in their Sweetwood apartment with vistas of Mount Greylock and the Berkshire Mountains.
Besides her husband of 64 years, she leaves a daughter, Susan Akers and her husband, Richard Dowling, of Denville, N.J.; three sons, John Akers Jr. and his his wife, Fran, of Centennial, Colo., James Akers and his wife, Mary Pat, of Great Barrington and Richard Akers and his wife, Stephanie, in Florham Park, N.J.; and six grandchildren, Austin, Emily, Charlie, Natalie, Ian and Tommy Akers, three great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by three sisters and a grandson, Spencer Akers.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A memorial service for Mrs. Akers will be held for family and friends at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Sweetwood in Williamstown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cheshire Home Development Office, 9 Ridgedale Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932 or Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern N.J., 196 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals.
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