Obituary
Katharina [Kathy] Finocchiaro, 86, of Daytona Beach, died at home on September 30, 2019. Her loving husband of 27 years was by her side. She was born in Leipzig, Germany on March 30, 1933 to Bernhard Egg and Katharina [Georgi] Egg. She is survived by her husband, Richard Finocchiaro.
Also surviving are her children Ernest Pedersen of Winston-Salem, NC and Cindy Pedersen, of Gainesville, Florida, a grandson, Chris Warnecke, his wife, Laura Cox and her two great-granddaughters, Dylan and Thea, of Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon marrying Richard, her family increased. Rick Finocchiaro, Jr. and his wife Margaret, of White Plains, Maryland, Vicki French and her husband Skip French of Bushwood, Maryland and Laurie Jones of Victoria, Virginia. From her expanded family Kathy also has eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Kathy was a long-time resident of the Daytona area. From her birthplace she moved to Berlin at age 17 with her mother. Kathy initially moved to the States, to North Carolina in 1961. She permanently moved to Fayetteville, NC in 1966. She raised her family in North Carolina and moved to Maryland in 1986. She came to Florida in 1990.
Kathy obtained a degree in business in Germany. She worked at a local psychiatric hospital as the administrator and Chief Financial Officer.
Kathy’s father was a musician, composer and conductor. She inherited her talents from him. Untrained, she could play the piano learning music and songs by ear. As a child, it was magical to watch her fingers find the notes and quickly perform the music. She was a talented artist. Her drawings and painting from when she was a young girl until she was a senior citizen hang in her home to this day, as well as the many homes to whom she gave and sold her work. Once again, her raw talent emerged. Taking one watercolor class she started to create beautiful watercolors of the beach, lighthouses, nature and animals. She joined the Artists Guild of Ponce Inlet and is a past president of the Art Guild of Ponce Inlet, Florida. She successfully presented her work at several art festivals. Many of her works decorate her home and our homes. It is a legacy we cherish.
Kathy’s talents, both at work and as an artist was not her first love. Her love for her family, her love for her children was immense. She was a constant presence in our lives. She always supported us, forgave us and loved us. Her love for her husband, her ‘bestest’ was deep and unconditional.
Per Kathy’s request, there will be no funeral or visitation. In lieu of flowers we request donations be made to Halifax-Health Hospice, 655 N. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, Florida, 32114. Her family thank all who have been supportive and friends.
May you be reborn as a new creation.
Betsy & Ken Kruger