Katherine E. Stangel, 1909-2004

Born in Westernport, Katherine was class valedictorian upon graduation from Bruce High School. She graduated from Potomac State College and West Virginia University and upon relocating back to the Cumberland area taught Algebra at Allegany High School from 1929 to 1932.
Between the years 1933 and 1973 she worked in the Industrial Relation Department of Celanese and in 1974 served as Director of the National Alliance of Businessmen.

Following her career at Celanese, Katherine Stangel served for ten years as Director of Senior Citizen Projects at the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission. During this period she initiated and organized the senior citizens’ singing group, “The September Singers”, which exist to this day.

A contributing editor for the Cumberland Times-News for about ten years, Katherine also wrote a weekly column on local history.

Katherine E. Stangel is considered to be a local pioneer and model in helping to establish the rights of working and professional women. Active in many organizations, she devoted her later years to improving the quality of life for the elderly.