Kathleen Ellen Zajac Wallenius

Kathleen Ellen Zajac Wallenius passed away on November 18, 2022 at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC with her husband, Richard, and daughters, Brooke and Kristen, by her side. She was 76 years old.

Born on March 25, 1946 in Meriden, CT, Kathleen was the only child of the late Helen and Henry Zajac. She spent much of childhood with a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Geary and Zajac families. Kathleen's strong inter-generational relationships with her extended family instilled in her a love of family, Irish and Polish traditions, holiday celebrations, and traveling.

Kathleen graduated from Maloney High School in 1964 and majored in English and History at The University of Connecticut. Upon graduating in 1968, she immediately began working in Meriden Public Schools. She spent her 37-year career first teaching, then as a guidance counselor at Nathan Hale and Hanover elementary schools. Kathleen cherished her role as an educator and always made herself available when a student needed support, advice, or a caring ear to listen.

Kathleen was always planning trips for her family and herself on school breaks. Her daughters have fond memories of trips along the East Coast, Ireland to visit distant relatives, an epic adventure covering ten of the western United States, and the family's annual summer escape to Eastham, MA on Cape Cod Bay. In retirement, Kathleen and Richard traveled with friends across Europe, Alaska, China, Egypt, and South America where Kathleen hiked to the summit of Machu Picchu at 72 years old. Throughout her life, Kathleen spent time on every continent in the world except Antarctica.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007, Kathleen fought hard and was in remission the following year. In true fashion Kathleen did not slow down. Over the next 15 years as a pancreatic cancer survivor, she continued to travel, volunteer, plan family celebrations, care for her aging parents, connect with friends on the annual "Ladies' Road Trip", work in her yard, treasure and spoil her grandchildren, and more. In 2019, Kathleen and Richard relocated from Southington, CT to Southport, NC, fulfilling her dream of living near the ocean. In her final years, Kathleen made new connections with friends, joined a tennis team, volunteered at the library and local charity organizations, and spent hours at the beach.

Kathleen is survived by her husband of 39 years, Richard Wallenius of Southport, NC; daughters Brooke Davis (Charles) of Chapel Hill, NC and Kristen Park (Matthew) of Westbrook, CT; stepdaughters Lea Engels (Steve) of Westbrook, CT and Courtney Dwyer (Michael) of Huntington, CT; ten grandchildren Kathleen adored deeply and her beloved West Highland Terrier, Tish; numerous cherished cousins and their children, and a multitude of friends who she considered family.

A day of remembrance and celebration of Kathleen's life is planned for April 8, 2023 at John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home in Meriden, CT. In remembering Kathleen and honoring her legacy, donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org), or an organization of your choosing.