Kay Anthea Zakarian (Holder)

Kay Anthea Zakarian (Holder) 78, a long time resident of Wethersfield and beloved wife of the late John James Zakarian, died on January 14, 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Her final moments were spent peacefully with her son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren by her side. Kay was born on September 11, 1937 in Carbondale, Illinois, the daughter of the late Roy and Hannah Mae (Hathaway) Holder. She worked as a registered nurse since 1961, holding a variety of clinical and teaching positions. Her most recent work included an assisted living facility in Wethersfield and at a primary care physician's office in West Hartford. After retirement, she continued volunteer nursing work with the Red Cross and the Wethersfield Rocky Hill Professional Nurses Association. She married her husband, John James Zakarian, in 1963. They moved from the mid-west to Hartford in 1977 where John was employed as an editor and vice-president at the Hartford Courant for over 25 years. She is survived by two sons, Paul Michael Zakarian and his wife Sowgol and their children Ani and Quintin of Middletown and John David Zakarian and his wife Anita and his children Melody, Daphney and Iris of Kansas City, MO. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Michael Zakarian and his family in Jerusalem, and two sisters-in-law, Fannie Genet and Yvonne Beste and their families in Holland. Kay was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a patient and compassionate person who was loved by all those who had the good fortune to meet her. During retirement she enjoyed her grandchildren, painting, bird-watching, traveling and a continued passionate interest in gardening. The Zakarian family is most grateful to the amazing staff on the 1B community at the Alzheimer's Resource Center in Southington for their kind and compassionate care of Kay during her stay. The residents and families of ARC will always remain in our hearts. Funeral services will be private. Please feel free to send condolences to [email protected]. Donations in Kay’s memories may be made to the Parkinson’s Action Network (www.parkinsonsaction.org) or to St. George Armenian Apostolic Church, 22 White Street, Hartford, CT 06114. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory of Kay with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.