Kathleen Anne Fives Wilkinson

Kathleen Anne Fives Wilkinson, 76, of Merritt, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center. She was born in Mount Vernon, New York, to the late Lieutenant Colonel William Fives and Harriett Wilson Fives, and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

Kathleen lived a full and purposeful life dedicated to education, family, and service to others. As the daughter of a military officer, she grew up as a proud military brat, learning the values of resilience and adaptability early in life. She graduated from Barry University in Miami, FL, in 1971 with a Bachelor Science degree in Special Education/Sociology and went on to earn her Master’s in Education, specializing in Specific Learning Disabilities, from the University of Central Florida in Orlando in 1974.

Kathleen devoted 34 years of her career to teaching special education, shaping the lives of countless students in Orange County Public Schools in Florida and Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Her compassion, patience, and unwavering dedication left an enduring legacy in every classroom she touched. After her retirement, she carried with her the same passion for helping others and deep love for her family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank B. Wilkinson; her parents, LTC William and Harriett Fives; and her son, Cole Wilkinson.

She is survived by her son, Josh Wilkinson; daughter-in-law, Cathy Wilkinson; and grandson, Kyle Wilkinson.

She will be remembered always as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date to honor Kathleen’s life and legacy.