Obituaries | 1990-1999

OBIDIMMA O. OKOBI, an educator who was a school principal in addition to being a mentor, motivational speaker, and outreach coordinator, died Apr. 3, 2017. She was 40. After receiving her degree in art with an interest in architectural history, she received a master’s degree in urban studies from Southern Connecticut State University, certification in elementary education from John Hopkins University, and a master’s degree in school leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She was the principal of City Neighbors Hamilton School, in the Baltimore City public schools, and had also worked in various capacities in schools in the Baltimore area and in Connecticut. She personified the love of learning, commitment to students, and dedication to the principles of equity and justice that are the hallmark of a great educator. An active member of many organizations and communities, she focused on arts and culture, children, civil rights and social action, education, health, human rights, poverty alleviation, and social services. She served as mentor, motivational speaker, outreach coordinator, and girl’s lacrosse coach. An avid runner, she also captained lacrosse at Wesleyan. Among those who survive are her mother, Elsie Halliday Okobi, Ph.D., three brothers, her sister, and a large extended family and group of friends and colleagues.

KITARA C. BINGHAM, 38, a clinical social worker, died Aug. 9, 2015. She received her MSW degree and license in clinical social work from Fordham University School of Social Work. While living in New York, she worked at Incarcerated Mothers, Harlem Children’s Zone, and Sister’s Place. After moving to Newport, Del., in 2012, she began working for the Homeless Planning Council before becoming program director of LifeLines Independent Living Program at West End Neighborhood House. Survivors include her daughter; her mother; her maternal grandmother; five aunts and uncles; a very special friend, Dan; a childhood friend, Sherp; and many cousins and friends.

Surrounded by love near and far, in the comfort of her home, Lori passed away very peacefully last night, January 7, shortly after 5:00pm. She has been warmed by everyone’s love and support over the years, and held in a sacred space the last few weeks, and truly blanketed in prayers and care the last 24 hours. Lori was an old soul, a sage beautiful lady, and had an accepting understanding of death as part of life’s journey. Perhaps that understanding moved her to live her life with such deep gratitude and so mindfully in the moment as she did. Those of us that were gifted the opportunity to walk with her through the last few weeks feel in our hearts that Lori found a calm peace and trust that allowed her to quietly transition on this eve. She has left her physical body but she is with us forever in our hearts, our memories, perhaps in sunsets and sunrises, or in any place of beauty we choose to hold her. Most of all she lives on in her beautiful courageous daughter Emilia. Please hold Emilia, Matt, Mike, and the rest of Lori’s family in your thoughts and prayers as everyone travels this journey of such great loss. Possibly the only thing greater than the loss is the deep love Lori showered everyone with, and the great love everyone has forever for her.

Rest peacefully dear Lori – we love you for all of eternity.

SACHIKO S. MALLACH, 42, a fund-raiser and development officer for several non-profit institutions, died July 1, 2015. After graduating with a degree in comparative politics, she studied at Magdalene College of Cambridge University and at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. She was affiliated with InterExchange and International House in New York City, and the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. She was the director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, director of development for the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester, Penna., and most recently the vice president for institutional advancement at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Penna. She loved listening to and playing music, hiking and camping, and being with people. She touched the lives of many people with her smile, optimism and generosity, and maintained her strong heart and sense of humor all the way to the end of her life. Her husband, Dan Mallach, survives, as do her daughter and her brother.

KATHARINE KELLOND ROTH, M.D., a hospice and palliative care physician, died Dec. 15, 2014. She was 45 and had a long struggle with seizure disorder and Behcet’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease. After receiving her medical degree from Georgetown University Medical School in 2001, she was determined to pursue her medical career despite several health obstacles, and her family reports that she was an inspiration to those who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 16 years, Chris Weston; her young sons, Nicholas and William; her mother, Judge Jane Richards Roth; her brother; and a niece and nephew.