Chaya Sullivan Zahn

Chaya Sullivan Zahn nee Cashin of Arlington, Virginia, died suddenly at home on Monday, December 9, 2019. She is survived by her husband Nathan (Nate) Zahn, her mother, Catherine Cashin, her brothers, Christian, Chad (Erin) and Cian (Amelia) Cashin, her uncles, Robert Sullivan and Jack Cashin, her nieces and nephews; Stella, Olivia, Katie, Colin, Eilley, Aemon, Rory, and Fiona, her sister- and brother-in-law Kirsten and Brad Jordan, and father- and mother-in-law, Michael and Sharon Zahn. She was preceded in death by her father, Alan Cashin, her uncles, Michael Sullivan and Jim Cashin, and her grandparents, Frank and Mary Sullivan and John and Jane Cashin. Chaya was born on March 4, 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Bay Village. She attended Bay Village High School and graduated from The College of Wooster (1999) where she majored in history. She was a member of Wooster’s Zeta Phi Gamma sorority and a starter on the soccer team. With a fierce left foot and competitive nature on the field, Chaya helped the team advance to the NCAA tournament her sophomore year. Chaya and Nate met at Wooster and forged lifelong connections within the college’s tight-knit community. Following graduation, Chaya relocated to Virginia to pursue employment in Washington, DC while taking up residence in Arlington, surrounded by Chad and Cian as well as numerous friends from college and high school. Chaya and Nate were married at The College of Wooster in 2007. During her 20 years in Arlington, she enjoyed a very dynamic and successful career in sales and event planning, first joining Leading Authorities and later transitioning to the Mortgage Bankers Association, where she held progressively responsible roles, managing teams and large scale conferences. Although her passing was untimely, Chaya lived an incredibly full life. She and Nate traveled together extensively, enjoyed skiing in the winter and boating in the summer and, most of all, being together. A pop culture aficionado, Chaya loved movies and books and was always rallying friends and family to embark on unique adventures to cultural destinations. Chaya was revered for her strong work ethic, rich sense of humor and unwavering loyalty to friends and family. Every time Chaya told a funny story her audience was laughing before the punchline because she could hardly deliver the details through her own uproarious laughter and delight. She worked hard to make her house a home, frequently decorating and styling it as well as entertaining friends and family for the holidays or spontaneous gatherings. Chaya was a vivacious soul, full of quick wit and always ready for punchy yet polite banter, most often closing even the simplest of exchanges with an unencumbered mention of love. She loved the people in her life fiercely and was extraordinarily generous with her interest, support, humor and sunny compliments. As a very loved wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend, dog-mom, coworker, and teammate, Chaya will be remembered always and forever missed by all those who loved her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Service Dogs of Virginia. The organization recommends that you go online to sponsor a dog of your choosing and, in doing so, include a note indicating that your gift is offered in memory of Chaya Zahn. Online donations can be made at https://www.servicedogsva.org/product-category/sponsor-a-dog/ and you can add Chaya’s name at the end of the transaction under “additional information.” All checks should be mailed to: Service Dogs of Virginia, 218 Albemarle Square, PO Box 408, Charlottesville, VA 22902.