Katie Link

Kathleen (Katie) Theresa Link, 45, of Rydal, PA passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Philadelphia, PA. She fought cancer for over four years and won. She left this world on her terms- in comfort and surrounded by her large and adoring family.

Beloved wife to Robert Patrick Link (Pat) and a devoted mother to Maeve (17), Sam (16), Hank (13), Louisa (11) and Willa (6).

Katie was born on February 25, 1980 in Meadowbrook, PA to Nancy (nee O’Neill) and the late Joseph F Scharnikow, Sr., and is survived by her siblings Joseph Jr. ( Adrienne), Ami (Brian), and Michael (Sue) and eighteen nieces and nephews.

Katie graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in 1999 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree and a Masters in Recreational Therapy from Temple University. She then utilized that degree at Special People in Northeast (SPIN) where she worked with adults with intellectual, developmental, and autistic spectrum disabilities. She was a hero to her clients and a role model to the staff she managed. Although she eventually left her position to focus her time on her growing family, she continued with her passion and obsession of bringing love and joy to that segment of the population through her volunteer work. She adopted alpacas and regularly hosted adults with disabilities for “alpaca therapy.” Her work was recognized with an award from Mayor Jim Kenney, and she continued this work into the final weeks of her life as she battled her disease.

Katie loved nature, being active, and being outdoors. She was at her happiest when intertwining those things with her family. She loved family hikes (usually with 2-3 dogs at her heels) and bike rides in Valley Green, where she always encouraged her children to stop and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. She always smiled when they took their shoes off and muddied their clothes while wading into creeks to search for cool rocks and interesting creatures. She never allowed for a day of sitting at home twiddling thumbs. Days were packed with trips to the zoo, museums, walks on the beach, building sandcastles, dog parks, and any playground within driving distance. She was an avid runner and yoga enthusiast who never took her health for granted.

Katie was an angel on earth. To know her was to love her. She had time for everyone, and her relationships were numerous and meaningful. She had multiple best friends for whom she would drop anything to lend a helping hand. She was a natural beauty with eyes that could swallow you whole. She had a wicked sense of humor that was second to none. Inside Katie was an infinite pool of empathy that she freely shared with everyone. She was the most important person in the room and the center of attention without ever trying to be. Her home was open to all, and she cherished the chaos and fun of welcoming the countless friends of her five children into the family circle at all times. She was an animal lover and collector of pets. Her home at various times had multiple dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, birds, fish, goats and of course her beloved alpacas.

Her family was the greatest beneficiary of her love, and she was the special ingredient at every family event that always made them fun and meaningful. She was her husband's rock and true soulmate. She strove to make every day a special day for her children. She never took a break or sacrificed an ounce of time if it could be used to enrich the lives of her children. She was their biggest cheerleader, their trusted advisor, their goofiest best friend, and greatest protector. She instilled her values of compassion, kindness, and integrity in each of them. Katie’s spirit will endure in them, as it will with all the lives she has touched.

A celebration of life event will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the National Leimyosarcoma (LMS) Foundation by going to www.curelms.org.

Services entrusted to the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home, Jenkintown, PA. Condolences: www.McGoldrickFH.com