In loving memory of
Kathleen Willard

• December 17, 1953
• -
• August 05, 2022

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Kathleen Ann Willard, 68, of North Redington Beach, entered the
kingdom of God on August 5, 2022.

Kathy was born December 17, 1953 to Mary Jane and Albert Grelle in
Pittsburg, PA. Kathy graduated from Cocoa Beach High School in 1971.
In 1976, she graduated from the University of Florida with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration specializing in
Accounting. Kathy and her former husband Mark Willard raised their two
children, Becky and Josh, in Ocala where she was very active in the
community. She started the computer program at Happy Hearts
Kindergarten and she volunteered as the computer teacher at
Cornerstone School for 9 years. Kathy was also very engaged at First
Presbyterian Church in Ocala where she served as the librarian and
collection counter for many years. She served the Marion Literacy
program and many other local charities in Ocala. She loved
participating in many mission trips. One of her favorite trips was to
Mississippi to help with the cleanup following Hurricane Katrina.

Kathy was a joyful and passionate woman. She loved being on the water
and she moved to the Madiera Beach/ North Redington Beach area in
2013. 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 and
neighbors. She returned to Ocala at least monthly to be with her Bunco
group and other close friends. Her amazing eye for design was evident
in the beautiful homes she created which she loved to share. Her
beautiful smile and contagious energy made her delightful to be with!
She will truly be missed! Her positive influence and outgoing nature
leaves an outline for which we can carry in her memory.

Kathy passed peacefully under the care of Hospice. Her children, Becky
and Josh, provided her the love and support she needed through her
battle with melanoma cancer. Special thanks to her former husband of
29 years, Mark Willard for his support and guidance in coordinating
her care.

She was blessed with two children, Becky (Ben) and Joshua (Tanya) and
one beautiful granddaughter, Emmaline. She is also survived by the
father of her children, Mark Willard of Ocala, her sisters, Cindy
Thistel (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 PM
in 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 to
Hospice of Marion County, Habitat for Humanity (of your choice), First
Presbyterian Church of Ocala, or Melanoma Research Foundation.