Obituary of Felicitas C. Wohlwill

Felicitas (Fay) Wohlwill, Age 87, passed away, Monday, March 20, 2017 at Mount Nittany Medical Center of natural causes. She was born on March 13, 1930 in Berlin, Germany to Dr. and Mrs. Julius Schwartz. In February 1939, she, along with her family, emigrated to Shanghai, China, to escape Nazi persecution in Germany. While in Shanghai, she attended the Public School for Girls. In 1948, Fay left China for San Francisco. Later, she moved to New York City where she attended the City College of New York and worked for the Book of the Month Club. While in New York, Fay met Joachim (Jack) Wohlwill and married him in 1953. She subsequently studied at the University of California - Berkeley and graduated with a B.A. in German Literature and a Masters of Library Science. Fay went on to work in public libraries in Oakland, California; Worcester and Newton, Massachusetts as well as the College of Human Development and Family Studies library at Penn State University. Upon moving to Foxdale Village, she served on the Library Committee.

Fay was an avid reader and movie enthusiast and enjoyed playing Scrabble. She also enjoyed traveling, particularly in New England, California and other western states. She also enjoyed day trips in and around Central Pennsylvania. Fay was very interested in current affairs, passionate about social justice issues and was actively involved in Foxdale's Diversity Committee. Fay has spoken on her and her family's experiences with Nazi persecution. Her friends described her as "feisty."

Fay is survived by her sons Arthur of Lansing, Michigan and David and his partner, Lee Ann Antol, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and numerous dear friends including Katie Bittner, Annette Jurgelski, Susan McHale, Bernie Antol and Mark Coughenour as well as many friends at Foxdale Village.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30pm on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Foxdale Village Auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College. A reception to follow; please RSVP to David Wohwill by email, citidew@aol.com, by May 10th. 

In lieu of flowers, Fay requested that donations be made in support of the Sierra Club or to the University of California at Berkeley.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.