Kathleen Zaia, 88, formerly of Norwich, and more recently of Vestal, NY, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City.
Born December 19, 1928, in Lebanon Center, NY, Kathleen was the daughter of Vernor and Winifred (Austin) Hartshorn, and one of their three children. She was a graduate of Earlville High School and attended Morrisville Ag & Tech School for short time. Shortly thereafter, in 1947, Kathleen gained employment at Chenango & Union Telephone, and worked there straight through to her retirement 35 years later, ending her time with the company as a group chief operator.
Not only did Kathleen enjoy her work life at the phone company, but she took pleasure in speaking on the phone regularly with relatives. She was also a voracious reader, and treasured spending time with her family. She was known as an extremely unselfish and light-hearted person who never had a bad word to say about anyone. Kathleen liked to pass the time away by feeding many furry and feathered friends.
In 1954, at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Norwich, Kathleen married her husband of 54 years, Andrew J. Zaia, who died on March 26, 2009. She is survived by daughter Nancy Stepneski and her husband, John, of Vestal; grandchildren Kaitlyn and Emily Stepneski; and nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends. Kathleen was predeceased by her siblings Tom Hartshorn and Elouise Ellison.
A prayer service for Kathleen will take place at the Wilson Funeral Home, in Norwich, at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017, where Rev. Ralph A. Bove will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Contributions in Kathleen’s memory may be made to Every Dog’s Dream Rescue, 420 Harry L Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790.
To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.