Salem Woman was an Artist saved by Christian Faith

SALEM NEWS
By Alan Burke

“Salem Rose at Dawn” by Kathleen Ward Atchason is a
4-foot-by-5-foot depiction of Salem Harbor at dawn. It was displayed at her wake.

MASSACHUSETTS - The '60s have been romanticized as an era of giddy excess, when young people ignored the nagging warnings of joyless adults and embraced a world of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. For several reasons, artist Kathleen Ward was susceptible to the message. Early in life, she was led to some very dark places and left with crippling addictions, son Christian Atchason said. Eventually, however, Kathleen Ward Atchason, bolstered by a faith in God and Jesus, overcame. She was clean and sober and an attentive, loving mother for more than 30 years, Christian said. His mother died on Nov. 30 at age 64, an observant Catholic, leaving behind a grieving family, friends and an impressive artistic legacy. It wasn't that easy, of course. Abandoning an interest in witchcraft, Atchason made the decision to fully embrace the Catholicism of her youth.  "Her faith was crucial," Keene said. [link]