AMY OAK OBITUARY

Oak, Amy Twin Lake Amy Katharyn (Rodgers) Oak, age 65, transitioned from this life November 7, 2016 at home in the arms of her wife, Barbara Pitcher. Amy's healing journey spanned two years with an original diagnosis of breast cancer in 2014. Amy was born January 11,1951 in Higginsville, MO to Cleta Charlene and John Parker Rodgers. She and her life partner Barb were in a committed relationship for 25 years, and were legally married November 22, 2013 in Ripley, NY. They celebrated the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same sex marriage validating and honoring their deeply committed love for each other. Amy and Barb were profiled with a Muskegon Chronicle article written by Susan Harrison-Wolffis in 1997 speaking out so others may better understand homosexuality. Amy was an educator, community activist, passionate gardener, amazing cook, drummer, an alchemist, and nature spiritualist. She began her career as an educator in the 70's as an early elementary teacher in the Los Angeles, CA area. She next taught in rural Kentucky at the Pine Mountain Settlement School before moving to Michigan in 1988. Her first Michigan teaching position was with the Reeths-Puffer School District with special education and emotionally impaired students. She continued her career teaching early elementary children beginning in 1990. Amy left the classroom to become a trainer with The Wright Group (Seattle, WA) traveling across the United States facilitating teacher development conferences. Her expertise with staff development lead to her working with PS10 in the Bronx, NY for 5 years. Amy retired after 10 years with Muskegon Area Intermediate School District in 2011. She continued working with West Michigan school districts doing staff development in literacy and writing. Spanning her career, Amy was recognized for her accomplishments with numerous awards including Michigan Reading Association Literacy Award in May 2004. In addition to her wife, Barb, Amy is survived by her brother, William (Joyce) Rodgers of LaVerne, CA; close cousins, George (Cynthia) Null from Altadena, CA and Myrna Rodgers from Bellflower, MO, many nieces and nephews and the extended Pitcher family. Amy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Parker; beloved uncle and aunt, Fay Woodson (Woody) and Mildred Null. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 PM at the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (630 Harvey St. Muskegon, MI.) Memorial contributions may be made through Amy's Healing Journey at www.giveforward.com/medical/page-ltq8b64. Arrangement entrusted to The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. (231-798-1100). You are invited to sign Amy's guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com