Kathleen Wheeler

Kathleen Wheeler (Nee Olejniczak), loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully at home on February 7, 2026. Kathleen was born on September 30,1946 and raised in Bridesburg, Philadelphia. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Malinowski) Olejniczak. She and her twin sister Eileen attended Bishop Neumann Business School. Kathleen was married for almost 52 years to her husband James Wheeler, and together they raised three boys, James, Stephen, and Peter, along with a steady parade of family dogs, in their Northeast Philadelphia home.

Kathy was intelligent and dedicated, excelling at every job, and always going the extra mile. She even learned braille while working for the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. She had an eye for fashion, played the piano, and loved to read, especially stories of other times and places. While working hard so her boys could pursue college, Kathy also created a warm and welcoming home. Dinner time meant family time, a home cooked meal, and room at the table for an extra friend or two. Her greatest joy was time with her children and grandchildren.

Kathleen was preceded in death by parents, her twin and lifelong best friend, Eileen Operacz, and siblings, Evelyn Wochele and Thomas Olejniczak. She leaves behind her husband, James (Jim) Wheeler, her sons, James (Amy), Stephen (Gina), and Peter (Jennifer), and her eleven grandchildren: Kacie (Micah), James, Hunter, Megan, Peter, Savannah, Gwen, Lincoln, Naomi, Leah, and Lewis.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.