* Katherine Marie Wakelee; Ornithologist

Ventura native Katherine Marie Wakelee died Thursday following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 32.

Wakelee was born in Ventura on Oct. 14, 1968, and was a graduate of Ventura High School, Occidental College and University of Hawaii.

She worked as an ornithologist for the federal government, specializing in the study of endangered birds. She participated in studies involving the loggerhead shirke and the California condor.

Wakelee was described by her family as a caring and sensitive person who loved nature in all forms.

She is survived by her parents, Bill and Marcia Wakelee of Ventura; a sister and brother-in-law, Julia and Joe Wakelee-Lynch of Berkeley; a brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Joanne Wakelee of Ventura; a niece, Grace Wakelee-Lynch, and a nephew, Andrew Wakelee.

The family extended its appreciation to several people who cared for Wakelee during her illness, including the physicians and staff at Parkview Hospital in Vicksburg, Md., and Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, and the nurses at Assisted Home Health Care of Ventura County.

A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. Jan. 6 at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Katherine M. Wakelee Scholarship, Ventura County Community Foundation, 1317 Del Norte Road, Suite 150, Camarillo 93010, or the Peregrine Fund, 566 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709.

Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura was handling all arrangements.