Kathy E. Vazquez
January 18, 1955 - July 29, 2026
Kathy E. Vazquez, age 71, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Born in Montgomery, AL on January 18, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Donal and Matibeth (Parnell) Hill. Kathy made her career as a stage manager.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Marc A. Vazquez; daughters, Lauren Kerchner (Graeme Roche) and Caitlin Kerchner (Joe Day); and stepson, Christopher Vazquez.
All services will be held privately.
A Eulogy written by Marc Vazquez
Thank you for reading this and taking time to celebrate the life of my wife, Kathy Vazquez.
To know Kathy was to know someone who knew the right thing to say. Wasn’t judgmental but was always there for you. Even if it meant she asked a million questions. When we first met, I was running a dinner theater. We needed a stage manager for the play Chicago, and she didn’t want the job, but was there because the owner was a friend. We haggled for an hour about everything. In the end I told her to think of it as a journey and working in a dinner theater takes more creativity because there is no money. We would go on to do many shows together until I retired from light design. She would go on to do a lecture circuit and then a dance troupe. From that I came out of retirement to light ballets with her. We continued until she was diagnosed with dementia. This time we both retired and moved to the beach.
At the beach she thrived. Often, we would be on from March until December using sand dunes to block the wind. She loved seeing the birds and hearing the ocean. We got a giant bird feeder and had hundreds of birds in the yard. We would hand feed the squirrels and she helped me name them. She enjoyed singing in the choir. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. We had three trees and over a hundred Santas. Every year she would spend days decorating and it always made her happy to stare at the transformation.
Kathy was adopted and always wanted a huge family. That didn’t happen but the one thing she always wanted was for everyone to get together and appreciate each other. So, the one thing, the one wish she would have me tell you is thinking about those in your family, those you try to avoid because you don’t match up and try to give patience or tone yourself down if you know you’re over the top and see each other. Get together at least once a year and if you have nothing better to celebrate than celebrate Kathy’s memory.
Kathy, thank you for being in my life. Thank you for every year, every memory, and the love you gave us all. I will always love and remember you and miss you.
Glenn Namian
RIP Cadet. FHNSAB
Patti
I am so sorry for your loss. Kathy was a beautiful woman inside and out. Thinking about you and your family.
Jim Messina
Kathy was a wonderful person, always made good decisions, a natural leader. May she rest in peace.
Robert Lashley
That is a lovely tribute, Kathy will surely be missed
Joe Nikischer
With Deepest Sympathy and fond memories of Kathy from back in the 70’s. Rest in Peace. FHNSAB
Greg Cinzio
During our youth, Kathy was a color guard member of the Garfield Cadets – a local youth organization that competed musically across the country. She was a role model to the new kids, and a friend to all. She did whatever she could to make your experience with the Corps special. May she rest in peace.
Greg Cinzio
Cadets (1967-1977)
June and Marvin
Please accept our deepest condolences. We remember Kathy for how much she loved you two, her dedication to her profession and for her kindness in adopting Elliott during his senior year at WFS.
Every time Elliot parallel parks the car, I recall that it’s your mother that taught him. In peace.
Joan-Mary Bucci
Kathy, you always inspired me when you were in the Cadets. RIP and my condolences to your family. FHNSAB
Cathy Gaeckle Cardaneo
I remember Kathy as she began her corps career in the Sundowners guard and then as a Garfield Cadet. Always warm, helpful, and inspiring to everyone in her circle. May she RIP!
Cindy Dickson
So very saddened to learn of Kathy’s passing. She was my color guard captain back in the 70s, was an inspiration and the example to emulate. She made us all better. My sincere condolences to her family.
Richard Biziak
As both a Cadets rifle and color guard captain Kathy worked hard to achieve excellence. She succeeded. RIP Cadet.
Judy TomTom Ulchinsky
I knew Kathy because she was a captain in the Cadets that followed me. I always liked and respected her.
Kenneth
RIP KATHY, FHNSAB