Maria S. Cazee

CAZEE, Maria Stefanie, “Mitzi,” formerly of Springhill, FL and Leitchfield, KY passed away peacefully at her home in Louisville, KY, on April 20, 2022 at the age of 102. Her husband of 22 years, Sam Cazee, will remember her forever as his beloved. Sam and Mitzi were married on May 13, 2000, Mitzi, at the age of 80 and, Sam, 74.

Mitzi was born in Vienna, Austria on April 1, 1920 to Stefan and Barbara Kunert, and had two brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents and cherished brother, Fritz, who died when he was just six years old from diphtheria. During the Russian occupation in World War II, Mitzi caught the last train out of Vienna to the American occupied city of Salzburg. Providentially, she had learned English and became an interpreter for the American Army, receiving one meal a day to survive. She eventually came to America in 1949.

After working for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Philadelphia, PA, Mitzi found her way to Springhill, FL and became a master gardener, a title she held for over 40 years. Mitzi worked at the County Extension in Hernando County, FL where she was respected and loved by all, at one time holding the record for most volunteer hours in the state. After marrying Sam and moving to Kentucky, Mitzi founded the Master Gardener Program in Grayson County, KY.

Mitzi and Sam resided in Leitchfield, KY for most of their married life with their cherished dachshund, Fritzi. They attended Clearview Baptist Church, where they were dearly loved, before moving to Louisville, KY in 2017.

Mitzi lived with meticulous appreciation for everything she had and viewed every day as a gift to be alive. She found great joy from gardening, knitting, baking, crosswords, learning new things, and visits from her loved ones, especially the great grandchildren. Mitzi was an avid and lifelong learner, whose zeal for life and love for others marked her character to the very end. She treated her caretakers and nurses as if they were her own family and enjoyed hearing about their lives.

Mitzi leaves behind her adoring husband Sam Cazee, Sam’s faithful daughter, Patti (John) Barron, grandchildren, Melissa (Scott) Gilmour, Adam (Kaet) Barron, and Griffin (Juli) Barron, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Jadon, Reece, Vera, Xavier, and Liv Gilmour, and Drew and Jill Barron.

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with a Celebration of her life following visitation, beginning at 2:00 PM, at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

A graveside service will occur Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

Maria will be laid to rest in Resthaven Memorial Park, 4400 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.archlheadyresthaven.com for the Cazee family.

Donations can me made in Maria's memory to Hosparus of Louisville and a special thanks to her nurse Renee and caregiver, Kelly.