Kathleen Chanik

Kathleen M. Chanik, 68, passed away unexpectedly at home in Fairfax, VA on 18 Aug 2021. Born in Glendale, CA on 3 Nov 1952, her parents were Gerald and Dixie Foster. Kathy excelled in school, with a special interest for anything musical and definitely had a gift of musical talent. By the time she graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in 1970, she sang, played the guitar, banjo, piano, and organ. In 1973 she became a Navy Nurse after graduating from Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. She was stationed at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA. During that time she met and married her husband, Marty, a Navy pilot, in July 1977. Kathy left the Navy after five years of service to pursue her passion, music. Kathy became a professional harpist, playing and performing despite the moves required by her husband’s naval career. One of the highlights of her career was performing for several years in the Dunes Hotel’s Dome of the Sea room in Las Vegas in the mid to late 1980’s. Kathy was an active member of the harp community and enjoyed traveling to conferences and gatherings, where she made many friends. She was a member of the American Harp Society, the Folk Harp Society, and the Washington Area Folk Harp Society. While her primary instrument through the years was the harp, she also enjoyed her harpsichord. Full of life, able to light up any room the minute she walked in, Kathy also enjoyed the many relationships she developed as a Navy spouse. Her smile, her sense of humor and her practical approach to the challenges of life in the service made everyone want to be around her and just made everyone’s day a little better. She is survived by her husband, Marty, her sisters Sue (Dave) and Cindy, her loving sisters and brothers-in-law, and nephews and nieces. She will be missed greatly, but will be a guiding light in our lives forever. There will be a Celebration of Life for Kathy Chanik on 21 Sep 2021, from 1 to 3 PM at the Army Navy Country Club, in Arlington, VA. The venue will be an outside covered patio, with an inside room as back up for foul weather. All are invited. Request a response as soon as possible (two weeks from now at the latest) if you plan to attend in order to ensure sufficient space, food, and drink is available. Please reply to [email protected] with the number of planned attendees. We do understand if your plans should change. Dress will be coat and tie, with an option to smart casual should you desire.