Kathleen Willard

Obituary

Kathleen Ann Willard, 68, of North Redington Beach, entered thekingdom of God on August 5, 2022.Kathy was born December 17, 1953 to Mary Jane and Albert Grelle inPittsburg, PA. Kathy graduated from Cocoa Beach High School in 1971.In 1976, she graduated from the University of Florida with aBachelor’s Degree in Business Administration specializing inAccounting. Kathy and her former husband Mark Willard raised their twochildren, Becky and Josh, in Ocala where she was very active in thecommunity. She started the computer program at Happy HeartsKindergarten and she volunteered as the computer teacher atCornerstone School for 9 years. Kathy was also very engaged at FirstPresbyterian Church in Ocala where she served as the librarian andcollection counter for many years. She served the Marion Literacyprogram and many other local charities in Ocala. She lovedparticipating in many mission trips. One of her favorite trips was toMississippi to help with the cleanup following Hurricane Katrina.Kathy was a joyful and passionate woman. She loved being on the waterand she moved to the Madiera Beach/ North Redington Beach area in2013. She loved traveling which she did extensively for many years.She also loved running/walking on the beach, bike riding, reading,working in her yard, and spending time with family, friends andneighbors. She returned to Ocala at least monthly to be with her Buncogroup and other close friends. Her amazing eye for design was evidentin the beautiful homes she created which she loved to share. Herbeautiful smile and contagious energy made her delightful to be with!She will truly be missed! Her positive influence and outgoing natureleaves an outline for which we can carry in her memory.Kathy passed peacefully under the care of Hospice. Her children, Beckyand Josh, provided her the love and support she needed through herbattle with melanoma cancer. Special thanks to her former husband of29 years, Mark Willard for his support and guidance in coordinatingher care.She was blessed with two children, Becky (Ben) and Joshua (Tanya) andone beautiful granddaughter, Emmaline. She is also survived by thefather of her children, Mark Willard of Ocala, her sisters, CindyThistel (Jim) of Colorado, Linda Ockwell (Gary) of Georgia, niece,Susan Hay (Jason) and nephew, Grant Byrum (Candice).A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 27th at 3:00 PMin the fellowship hall of First Presbyterian Church, 511 SE 3rd St,Ocala, FL 34471.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made toHospice of Marion County, Habitat for Humanity (of your choice), FirstPresbyterian Church of Ocala, or Melanoma Research Foundation.