LEWISTON – Katherine Ann Whitney, 59, passed away on May 20, 2022 at her home in Lewiston, Maine, surrounded by her loving caregivers.The daughter of Alison Keith Whitney and William T. Whitney, Jr., Katherine was born in Burlington, Vermont on June 26, 1962. She and her family lived in North Carolina, New York, New Hampshire, and Mississippi before settling in South Paris, Maine in 1977. From 1986 until her death, Katherine lived and worked in Lewiston under the auspices of the John F. Murphy Homes. Katherine’s family is profoundly grateful to the caregivers of John F. Murphy Homes for the love they showed Katherine through these many years.Katherine was born with an intellectual disability of unknown cause, at a time when educational services were not readily available to young children with developmental handicaps. With strong local support, however, she was the beneficiary of excellent special education classes in the public schools of Norway, Maine, graduating to the Progress Center.Katherine enjoyed her schools and a wide variety of social experiences, including summers spent at the SOCARC day camp, hosted at her own family’s farm. She is remembered for her sense of humor and for the assertive instructions she regularly issued to associates and caregivers. Katherine was an accomplished walker-in-the-woods and, when she was younger, an enthusiastic participant in family camping and canoe trips.Katherine is survived by her parents Tom and Alison Whitney of South Paris, Maine, her sister Rebecca Mandel of Los Angeles, California, brother-in-law David, and her loving nieces and nephews, Rosalie and Archer Thomas and Madeline and Freddie Mandel. Her beloved sister Jean Whitney predeceased her.A memorial service will take place at Christ Episcopal Church, Norway Maine, at 2 p.m., on June 16, 2022. All are welcome. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.Donations in Katherine’s memory may be sent to the John F. Murphy Foundation in Auburn.