Maria Cecilia Kakassy

MARIA CECILIA KAKASSY Maria died peacefully at home in Reseda, California on May 16th, 2007, with her family around her. The cause of death was complications related to gastric (stomach) cancer, which had been diagnosed in November, 2006. "Maria Cecilia Garcia Palacio" was born on March 25th, 1943, in Managua, Nicaragu a. Maria was the youngest daughter of Manuel and Socorro Garcia, and had three older siblings: Mary, Hilda, and Manuel. Maria is survived by her husband of 36 years, Allan; and three daughters: Lisa, Deanna, and Sylvia. Maria was a loving, lively, sensitive person who cared deeply about her family and friends. Additionally, she expressed great concern and empathy for the well-being of others. Maria's life's work was in educating children: at Melvin Avenue Elementary School, she worked as a bilingual aide using her Spanish to help children with their class assignments; at Highland Hall Waldorf School, she worked in the kindergarten reading stories and singing songs to the children as they rested during nap time as well as supervising them as they played in the yard. Maria loved children and they loved her. Everyone said she had an almost magical way of responding to and motivating even the most difficult child. Also, she made strong connections with staff and parents. A memorial service to celebr ate Maria's life will be held Saturday, June 23, 2007, 4:30 p.m., at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, California 91436. Instead of flowers, donations are requested to be made to a human rights organization Maria supported for over 30 years: Amnesty International, U.S.A., 5 Penn Plaza, New York, New York, 10001.