Obituary of M. josephine Zaharis

M. josephine Jo Zaharis, 99, ofCortland, passed away November 1, 2012 at CortlandParkNursing andRehabilitationCenter.Jo was a graduate ofCortlandHigh SchoolandCortlandNormal School. Shebegan her teaching career in 1934 at a two-room school house inEtna,NY, and taught many years for the CortlandCitySchool District. She then taught at St. Marys School from 1965-1979, at which time she retired. She continued to tutor children in reading after her retirement.Jo was a longtime communicant of St. Marys Church, member of the Catholic Daughters, RSVP, NYS Retired Teachers Assoc., and volunteered with the Red Cross. Her legacy will live on through her countless acts of kindness, friendships extended to anyone she met, and her commitment to various organizations throughout the community.She is survived by her daughters Carole Marie (Ronald) Cardamone of New Hartford, NY, Betsy Zaharis of Cortland and son-in-law Everett Skip Boise, Kay Zaharis of Cortland; her sister Evelyn McCarthy of Binghamton, her grandchildren Julie Cardamone Forsht, John Cardamone, Allyson Boise, Thomas Boise, Kim Kittinger, Kevin Kittinger, great-grandchild Anthony Forsht, her nieces and nephews, and godchildren.She was predeceased by her husband, CarlCoolie Zaharis in 1987.Calling hours will be held Friday 4-6 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc., 9 LincolnAve.,Cortland, NY, 13045.A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday 11 am at St. Marys Church, Cortland.The family will host a luncheon at St. Marys School cafeteria, Charles St. entrance, immediately after funeral services.Contributions may be made to St. Marys School or St. Marys Church. To make online condolences visitwww.wright-beard.com I have many fond momories of your Mom. I still remember her making stuffed grape leaves one day when Margaret and I were visiting your family home when we were kids. She was a wonderful lady. It's like loosing a mother all over again. So sorry for your loss Mary O'Leary Giamei What an amazing person. She is an inspiration to all women. She was a pioneer for working women, mothers, personal determination, and committment to her community. I admired her personal kindness, and strong belief in her faith. kathleen fitzgerald I will miss you dear friend, our lunches together, our drives in the country. You so enjoyed those times. My regret is that I didn't see you more often...but God willing, we will meet again. Love you, Polly Thia Jo was very special all of us and she will be greatly missed but dearly remembered. I am so sorry not to be able to attend her service in person but will be there with all of you in thought. Sincere condolences, The Chervenic Family I just want to tell you all Mrs. Zaharis was a wonderful person she was my 1st grade teacher @ St. Marys. When I always went back home to Cortland i always tried to see her. We wrote to each other for a long time. Even when she lived at the care center. I will always remember her, i remember the 1st time my husband and daughter and at the time my first grand son meet her she was so great she told them stories about me and my mother & father and Coolie about when i was young.I will miss seeing her agian when we come to Cortland. May god bless you all. Chris & Colleen Fabrizio Lawhorne