Catherine Woodward Zavadil of Great Falls, VA, passed away on October 4, 2024, at home with her family and her loving dog, Cinnamon, by her side.
Daughter of Clarence "Woody" and Opal Woodward and born in Washington, DC, Cathie grew up in the Maryland suburbs. Her parents are deceased. Cathie attended Georgetown Visitation School and Marymount College of Boca Raton, FL. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Stephen Zavadil, CAPT, USN (ret), daughter and son-in law, Briana and Rodney White, and granddaughters, the lights of her life, Sienna and Kiley.
Cathie made things happen; she was particularly proud to have provided ceaseless support to the wives and families of the crews of the various submarines aboard which Steve served during a long Navy career. She took the role of Navy wife seriously, ensuring that the "team" ashore was brought together as a self-supportive community, looking out for the wellbeing of all. She also enjoyed enormous success leading fundraising efforts for the Dolphin Scholarship Fund.
An inveterate dabbler in many forms of art, she excelled in her last passion, painting. She was also an unyielding supporter of the need to support animal rescue, with a particular personal fondness for yellow Labs. She loved traveling; her favorite place was Ireland, calling it "home" when she first set foot there. Family travels were a particular highlight; she loved to get the three generations off on an adventure to someplace new, exposing Sienna and Kiley to different cultures and experiences. She enjoyed sharing what she learned about art with family and friends, using the media to get the ideas to dedicated followers, focusing particularly on linking writers' words with art she loved. She supported the local arts scene, but she also made art an important part of her travels in the country and the world, building a library that commemorated each visit. Beyond her family, she was proud to have served as a local elections officer, believing in the importance and sanctity of the vote in our democracy.
Private services. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY, or to Lab Rescue of the LRCP, Annandale, VA.
Updated: November 23, 2024
Curator: Ed Moore