Katherine D. Zollars
Katherine D. Zollars, 92, of Burgettstown, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, Thursday, March 12, 2020, four days after her 92nd birthday. As her final gift, she helped countless others by being an organ donor.
She was born March 8, 1928, in Slovan, a daughter of the late Dominick Durinzi and Lea “Anna” Delfrate Durinzi.
Katherine was a 1945 graduate of Burgettstown Union High School and a 1949 graduate of California State Teachers College.
In 1950, she married J. William Zollars, of Waynesburg.
Mrs Zollars taught for 40 years in both elementary and secondary schools and was a member of the Burgettstown Area Education Association, the National Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Katherine was a “people person” who loved spending time with family, friends and neighbors. After retiring in 1991, she enjoyed traveling and helping others, often spending many happy hoursvolunteering at the Burgettstown Senior Citizens Center and as a spelling and GED coach.
Katherine inspired many with her love of learning. In 2011, she won 1st place in the Washington County Senior Citizen Spelling Bee. Her winning words were “imminently” and “duodenum.”
A lifelong member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Katherine was a member of the Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters. She also enjoyed many years as secretary of the Burgettstown Community Library Board and as a member of the Burgettstown Library Book Discussion Group and the Slovan Bridge Club.
During her later years, Katherine often expressed gratitude for living in the “perfect location” in Burgettstown, where friends and family could easily stop in for a visit and coffee.
Surviving family members are daughter Rebecca Zollars Kreider (Richard) of Doylestown; son David M. Zollars of Burgettstown; grandsons Zachary Zollars (Tony) of Elgin, Ill., David Alexander Kreider of Boston, Mass., and Jackson Rock Zollars of Burgettstown; stepgrandchildren Steven Kreider (Kelly) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Jonathan Kreider (Kathryn) of Greensboro, N.C., and Hillary Hawkins (Brian) of Monroe, N.C.; six great-grandchildren; several treasured cousins, nieces, nephews; and dear sister-in-law Malvine Zollars.
Deceased, in addition to her parents and ex-husband, are her beloved siblings, brother John Durinzi and sisters Violet Ciambella, Marie Horwat and Linda Mocharko.
Due to the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s temporary regulations on funerals, her Mass and inurnment that was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, has been postponed so her extended relatives, friends and colleagues would be able to attend, and will be announced at a later date.
Memorial donations in Katherine’s name may be made to the Burgettstown Library, 2 Kerr Street, Burgettstown, PA 15021, Attn: Kristin Anderson Frazier.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lee & Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, PA 15021.