Obituary of Kathleen Margaret Zaccardi

Kathy Zaccardi passed away in her sleep, at home, in Jacksonville Florida on July 7, 2024. She was not ill, nor suffering from any known illness. It was a very peaceful passing. Kathy was born in Washington D.C. where she spent her first 9 years, before her Father moved the family to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Kathy was a “Cradle” Catholic and a lifetime follower of her belief in Jesus Christ. In Ft. Walton Beach she attended and graduated from St. Mary’s School. She then attended St. Stephens Academy for 9th grade in New Orleans, La., and then attended Sacred Heart Academy in Cullman Alabama, until her graduation from High School. From there, Kathy went on to attend and graduate from Pensacola Jr. College. After Jr. College, she returned to the Washington D.C. area residing in Virginia, working for a while before she decided to finish her degree. She attended George Mason University where she obtained her Bachelor and Masters Degrees in English. Kathy believed very strongly in advanced education and often said so. She worked for Sun Microsystems for a number of years, as an Advanced Technical Writer, before retiring and going to work full time, with the Fairfax County School System as an ESOL Teacher. She loved the interaction with her students, and felt very rewarded with this new profession in her life. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2011, she continued her ESOL instruction with the Duval County Library System, and then privately on her own. She had a love for playing tennis, competing for many years in numerous sanctioned tennis matches. Kathy loved to travel internationally, visiting a host of countries and cultures throughout her entire life. Her favorite was Italy, which was her heritage. There she would spend many days and hours visiting with friends, exploring family regions, discovering new foods and wine. She was very happy with each new trip and their planning. At home, her two cats brought her immense joy and satisfaction. Kathy was preceded in death by her Father, G. William Zaccardi, and Mother, Lynn M. Zaccardi. She is survived by her two brothers, William M. Zaccardi, of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Thomas D. Zaccardi, his wife Karen, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, their son, Timothy James Zaccardi, of Tallahassee Florida, many 1st Cousins residing in New Orleans, La., Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Seattle Washington; her two beloved cats, Gaetano and Luciano. Kathy is remembered and loved by close friends, Steve and Betsy Sachs, their daughters, Katy Sachs and Christine Loving her Goddaughter; Ruth and Russ Warnock and their children Connor, Kyle and Charlene; Jack and Loxley Griffith, their daughter Jaime Michele Griffith, Linda Truppo, Sterling and Lori Mack and their daughters, Olivia and Tiffany, Hoai Le snd Dung Dinh, Ziad Kurdi. A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 10472 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida, August 1st, 2024, at 11:00am. Graveside internment will be September 11, 2024, Beal Memorial Cemetary, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida at 11:00am. In Kathy’s memory, donations may be made to ASPCA, online or by mail to PO Box, 96929, Washington D.C. 20099-6929 and Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Jacksonville, Florida.