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Katherine Lucile Zaccaro Schmidt
Katherine Lucile Zaccaro Schmidt
Obituary
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Katherine Schmidt Obituary
Kathy was born October 18, 1969 and lived her early years in Manhattan Beach, California. She moved to Colorado with her family as a teenager and attended Golden High School, then St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Kathy spent most of her professional years in fundraising for two outstanding organizations, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. More recently, she has been an instrumental team member with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, founded in West Africa by her sister, Jenny, and brother-in-law, Jimmy.
Of all her talents - beautiful singing, arts and crafts, organizing utterly unorganizable things, superb cooking and baking, laughing (graciously) at bad jokes - she shined most as wife and mother to her loving and caring husband, Phil, and the two finest children in this and all other worlds, Leigh and Diana. She was truly an artist in every way.
Kathy will also be sorely missed by her father, Joe, to whom she was not only a daughter but a best friend; brother, Joe, and his partner, Kristen; sister, Jenny, and brother-in-law, Jimmy; mother-in-law, Nonna; sisters-in-law, Lisa, Vanessa, and Suzanne; nephew Gavin; and uncles, aunts, cousins, and many friends throughout the country. Kathy changed the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be welcomed by her mother, Gay, who will escort her through the afterlife, where the two will greatly improve the level of all things.
While we are healing the hole in our hearts, we are also celebrating Kathy and the years we have been privileged to have her with us. We will be going forward with the strength of our family and will make Kathy proud of how we navigate our lives.
There will be a celebration of Kathy at a later date for family and friends.
The family wishes that any memorial contributions be to the aforementioned Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, at https://www.liberiachimpanzeerescue.org/donate.html. Kathy is in every part of LCRP's realization and success.
35 Entries
Rob & Laurie Bartee
December 12, 2023
Phil, Leigh and Diana, you are always in our hearts. Kathy was a warm and wonderful person who kindness lives in all of you. Although we moved out of the neighborhood, we would like the stay in touch. Best Wishes this Holiday Season, Love Laurie (swim teacher) & Rob Bartee
Cindy Lesser
June 15, 2022
Kathy blessed my life as she and her family shared with me the two years I taught Leigh and Diana. Kathy embodied what we aimed to reach for daily in our classroom: excellence, a life of the mind, body, and spirit grounded in an exuberant appreciation for the opportunities that come our way to love, engage, learn, grow, progress. I am grateful for her kindness, intelligence, insight, and support -- for her example of a life beautifully embraced and created with integrity and joy.
Tanja Warnick
May 8, 2022
Kathy was a truly special bright light. Her beautiful spirit will endure in our hearts.
Peace and blessings to her wonderful family, especially Leigh and Diana.
Andy Bigelow
May 5, 2022
This breaks my heart. When i was living in Winter Park, Kathy came to pick me up and drove to the Zaccaro Golden Home for a wonderful night of laughter and tons of love. Kathy even sang at my wedding and i´ll never forget her voice filling the air with such joy and passion. I´m sorry we lost touch over the years and i always loved our friendship. Kathy´s smile and little chuckle could lighten up anyone´s day.
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Focused Conservation Team
May 3, 2022
Our love goes out to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Katherine's love is continous! Never ending!
Molly McDonald (LaChapelle)
May 2, 2022
My heart is ripped up. It hurts to even be on this page. Kathy had a massive impact on me in high school. I can still hear her and love that hair that I was so jealous of. I'll be back in CO most of May and will hunt up my old photos. Would love to visit with any GHS peeps and share stories. What a beautiful woman and friend.
Mary Foley
May 1, 2022
In loving memory of a beautiful woman. We will love you and miss you always.
Eric
May 1, 2022
Eric
May 1, 2022
Eric
May 1, 2022
Really sorry to hear this sad news. I got to know Kathy in Boston in the mid-nineties and remember so vividly her beautiful smile ! Her joy and happiness was always very communicative. My deepest condolences to her family and to her sister Jenny.
Octavia Zaccaro
April 28, 2022
Octavia Zaccaro
April 28, 2022
Octavia Zaccaro
April 28, 2022
Back in early 70´s before Joe and Gay moved the family to Colorado, my father John and mother Joyce and my sister Dina would go to visit the family in Manhattan Beach. I couldn´t wait to see both Jenny and Kathy, I don´t think we had JoJo yet... Of course everybody remembers that JENNY was an animal under a table someplace, but I remember vividly how I used to swing Kathy around and around and around in circles by her arms ... and the giggles like only Kathy could giggle! Then later she was one of my bridesmaids in 1981.
Also what witty and wonderful skits she put on for each and every family reunion ! Oh Kathy, I miss you so and feel your family´s loss. Their loss, but also their strength and resolution to keep you feeling proud of them
Mark Traub
April 27, 2022
Sending my deepest condolences to the Zaccaro and Schmidt families. I knew Kathy from Genesee, Bell Junior High, and Golden High. Unfortunately, I didn´t get to know Kathy as well as others did, but I will never forget her beautiful smile. In fact, I don´t recall ever seeing her without a smile on her face. That will always be how I remember her. I am truly sorry for this untimely loss.
chris murata
April 27, 2022
It has taken me this long to get the strength to write to you...I'm so happy I got to know Kathy in our Genesee days and share in a little of her life with all the Zaccaros... what a wonderful human being, and a treasure. I wish I could spy on Kathy and Gay, the joy continues!!! xox
Brian Van Dyke
April 26, 2022
Golden High School class of 1989. You have our thoughts, prayers, condolences. During your time of loss and grieving.
Patty Dwyer
April 26, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of your tremendous loss...
Kathy will always be in our hearts. I have a special place in my heart for the Schmidt family and how they supported me when I was teaching Leigh at Kendrick Lakes Elementary School. Kathy's smile was effervescent and her spirit, kindness and gentle manner were always a ray of sunshine in my classroom.
Caitlin Sinclair
April 26, 2022
I am sorry to read this news. Kathy was my contact for LCRP and I exchanged not only oldfashioned hand written letters with her but also emails and photographs of all things chimpanzee.
My heartfelt sympathy goes to all her family, sending love to you all
Anja, May, Berni and Sam Gilmartin
April 26, 2022
What a truly wonderful human being. We met Kathy whilst fundraising for LCRP. She was so supportive of my young daughters efforts and every time we spoke on line, her smile and spirit beamed out across the Atlantic Ocean to us in the UK. Those that shine so bright are needed the most in this world. We all feel privileged to have spoken with her and will always remember her. Thank you Kathy and all your wonderful family xxxx
Lara
April 25, 2022
My goodness. Where to start, Kathy was a light. Her brightness will shine thru the ones she loved.
Much love to all of her family
Laurie & Rob Bartee
April 25, 2022
We are shocked and heartbroken for your loss. We love you all so much. We will always remember Kathy as a beautiful, gentle soul.
Rachel Estroff
April 25, 2022
Joe and I were so sad to hear of Kathy's death. She was a light and joy in the world! We send love and strength to Phil, their children, and all her family and friends.
Amanda S.
April 25, 2022
Kathy always and only brought light to my life, with her humor, her baking, her kind companionship as a dear friend. She is beloved to me, now and always. Thank you, Kathy, for all the sweetnesses you brought my way.
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
April 25, 2022
I have so many wonderful memories of Kathy from junior high--making shortbread and lemon bars in her kitchen, watching Singing in the Rain, singing in the junior high choir and cheering in the bleachers for pep club, going to aerobics in Genessee and the way she would always draw a little heart above her name when she signed it Zac. My heart opens to all who love her.
Roudy Hildreth
April 25, 2022
Thanks for this moving tribute to Kathy. It captured Kathy's spirit, grace, kindness, joy and humor. The world is definitely a darker place without Kathy in it. Kathy was one of the really good people on this earth. She brought such joy to everyone, even in the most challenging of times. From the first time I met Kathy on the bus in Jr. high to the last time I saw her, her amazing smile and laugh were the same, and one that I will sorely miss. My heart goes out to Phil, Leigh, Diana, Jenny, Joe Jr. and Joe, her large extended family and countless friends.
Cheyenne Steffen
April 25, 2022
I'm so sorry to hear about Kathy's passing. My heart goes out to the family. I'm so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. I know how well Kathy was loved by her family. Jenny spoke of her with admiration and affection. I enjoyed my conversations with Kathy. She was very kind and encouraging. Sending my love to the whole family.
Denise Dionne
April 25, 2022
What a beautiful tribute to Kathy. A sister is one who makes you laugh the hardest, can drive you the craziest, and always sees through to your true self. a secret keeper; a no questions asked phone call away; your closest ally. A lifelong best friend. I have no words for your loss that can bring you comfort. Only hugs.
Catherine Machalaba
April 24, 2022
Thank you for sharing this beautiful Tribute - what a truly wonderful person. The tremendous love and admiration her family members Jenny and Jimmy have always expressed for her speaks volumes to how special Kathy was. May your memories and love for her and support from one another bring you comfort and peace.
Christine Fiorentino
April 24, 2022
My mom and I are sitting here together wondering how it can be that Kathy is gone. Such a beautiful being of light and grace. She traveled her long road with so much courage and strength it was easy to believe that she would overcome. I think that may be why it hit so hard when Joe's email came. There is no way to prepare for such a loss. No one gets to be in a body forever but there is a secret hope that the best of us get to be around the longest. Kathy was the best, so was Gay-wee. Thank you for the lovely tribute above, so true and real. We (Kay, Pete and Christine) send you all our love and care.
Bevin
April 24, 2022
Every time I look at a sunrise in Colorado, I will be thinking of you Kathy. The tribute is a testimony how amazing Kathy was and what joy she was to be around. I know Gay and Kathy are together now, holding each other close and watching over you Phil, Leigh, Diana, Joe, Jenny and Joe Jr. May the memories you shared with Kathy offer you comfort and bring a smile to you. Kathy loved you so much, Leigh and Diana and I know her greatest happiness came from being your mom.
Erica (Foley) Smith
April 24, 2022
It's so hard to find adequate words to capture the beautiful human being we lost when Kathy passed away. But your loving tribute perfectly describes the friend I cherished. She had the purest of hearts and I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to call her my "bestie." Kathy so appreciated beauty. She would often say, "I just love to look at pretty things!" And we would crack up laughing, but she meant it! So I am sharing a photo of her looking at beautiful Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA. We were there together in August 2019 when she last visited me. I will miss her terribly.
Sending love and strength to the whole family. I think of you all every day.
Julie Favre
April 23, 2022
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and loving tribute to beautiful and beloved Kathy. Peace and comfort to all her family.
Lu
April 22, 2022
Lu
April 22, 2022
Lu
April 22, 2022
Zucchini / squash blossoms. Xxxx Mother / Daughter eternal forever
Showing 1 - 35 of 35 results
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