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Obituaries

F. Perrine-Wittkamp | Language-arts teacher, 63

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Francine Perrine-Wittkamp, 63, of Trappe, a language-arts teacher, died of bladder cancer Sept. 9 at home.

For more than 10 years, until June, Dr. Perrine-Wittkamp taught language arts at Pottsgrove Middle School. She wanted to share her love of literature, said her husband, Thomas Wittkamp, and was always researching techniques to encourage reluctant students to read and write. She had planned to write a book for reading teachers, he said.

A graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Dr. Perrine-Wittkamp earned a bachelor's degree from La Salle College, a master's degree in English literature from Villanova University, a master's degree in journalism from Temple University, and a doctorate in education from Immaculata College.

From 1971 to 1985 she taught in the Lower Moreland Township School District, where her future husband also taught. She worked briefly for North American Publishing Co. and then was in charge of Bucks County Technical School's new options program, which encouraged students, especially girls, to become electricians, plumbers and carpenters.

She missed teaching, her husband said, and returned to the classroom in the 1990s. She taught at Pottsgrove High School for two years before moving to the middle school.

In addition to her husband of 32 years, Dr. Perrine-Wittkamp is survived by a daughter, Emily; a brother; and a sister.

A life celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Spring Ford Country Club, 48 Country Club Rd., Royersford.