Kathleen Murphy Wonacott

No funeral services have been announced for long time Bishop Resident 
Kathleen Murphy Wonacott.

Born Feb. 13, 1915 in Bismarck N.D. to Henry H. and Edwina Cressinger 
Murphy, Kathleen died Jan. 10, 2006.

Kathleen moved to Southern California in 1923 and attended schools in 
Los Angeles. She earned a BA and later Master’s of Science in Education 
from University of Southern California. 

Kathleen came to Bishop Union High School in 1938 to teach Spanish and 
other subjects; the enrollment at that time was 180 students. She also 
served as school librarian, dean of girls and eventually girls’ 
principal. She retired in June of 1974, at which time enrollment was 
more than 800 students. 

On June 16, 1946 Kathleen married Thomas A. Wonacott after he returned 
home from more than four-and-one-half years in the service as a glider 
pilot in World War II. 

Kathleen was a member of the Athena Club of Bishop, the Daughters of 
the American Revolution, Jr. Women’s Improvement Club, California 
Association of Women Administrators and Counselors, Inyo County 
Administrators Association, Republican Women Club, Sigma Delta Pi 
(Spanish Honorary), Pi Lambda Theta (Education Honorary), Alpha Delta 
Pi (Social Sorority), Northern Inyo Hospital Auxiliary and an honorary 
member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 1, 1991. Her 
parents and only sister Vivian Wilkins also preceded her in death. 

She is survived by her cousins, Cynthia Klop of Bellevue, Wash., Sally 
Clayton of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Barbara Dawson of Gardnerville, Nev.; 
nieces, Leslie Manzonie of Bishop and Arnetta Zulian of Garnerville; 
and nephew, Jim Summers of Lake Tahoe.

The Inyo Register, Bishop, Inyo County, California
Saturday, January 14, 20006 – Page A-2
Transcribed by Charlotte S. Bryant