Kathleen A. Squires

Kathleen Squires, affectionately known as "Kasha" by her family and friends, was born on December 10, 1944, in Brownwood, Texas. She was the eldest of three children born to Carolyn Peak Zawora and Lt. Col. Edward A. Zawora. Kasha passed away peacefully on July 2, 2024, exactly six months after the death of her beloved husband, Richard.

Kasha is survived by her children: Lesha (Squires) Dalton, Richard “Burke” (Christine) Squires, and Taylor (Rachel) Squires; her 13 grandchildren; and her siblings Edward “Andy” (Patsy) Zawora and David (Patty) Zawora.

As a child of a military family, Kasha had the unique opportunity to grow up in various parts of the world, including Maryland, Germany, Virginia, Texas, and Taiwan, where she graduated from high school. As a girl, Kasha was loving and protective of her younger brothers and even referred to one of them as her “little monkey”. During her teenage years, she earned money by babysitting and working at the PX on base, experiences that would serve her well in her future endeavors.

After high school, Kasha attended the University of Texas at El Paso (formerly known as Texas Western), where she began her studies to become a teacher. Among her favorite college memories were gazing at the starry night sky from her dorm room, spending time with a favorite aunt, and falling in love with Richard, whom she met at a local USO club. They married in El Paso on August 13, 1966, just three months after meeting, surrounded by family and friends.

Following their wedding, Kasha and Richard moved to Rhode Island due to Richard's military assignment, spending a year there before relocating to San Antonio, Texas. It was in San Antonio that Kasha would establish her long and impactful career as a teacher. She taught at St. Mary Magdalene, Fort Sam Houston-Nelson Preschool, and Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, where she touched the lives of many Kindergarteners and their families, maintaining contact with them long after they left her classroom. For a time, Kasha served as a director for a La Petite Academy, but quickly found her way back to the classroom and students she loved.

Kasha completed her teaching degree at the University of Incarnate Word at the age of 44 while working full-time. She also worked part-time and during summers in various roles, including at a bowling alley, a jewelry store, an educational supply store, and Girl Scout camps. After retiring from teaching, Kasha worked as a "demo diva" at Walmart, a role that suited her love for conversation and people until the COVID-19 pandemic ended that opportunity.

Some special things to know about Kasha are that she was most proud of her three children and her grandchildren, she maintained a devotion to Mary and St. Anne, she cherished the belief that God loved her unconditionally, and she was an exceptionally good money manager, often refusing to buy things until they went on sale.

Her big, compassionate heart made her an ideal volunteer for her children's activities, including Girl Scouts, religious education programs, school activities, band, and more. In retirement, she focused her volunteer efforts on the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at St. Pius X Catholic Church, inspiring her husband to join her in this charitable work. Kasha's soft spot for those in need extended to welcoming stray animals brought home by her daughter and offering a place to stay for those in need.

Before the days of HGTV, Kasha and Richard bought a fire-damaged house and rebuilt it together. She played a significant role in gutting the house, designing the rebuild, and decorating it to make it a home.

Despite her busy life, Kasha found time for hobbies she loved such as scrapbooking, reading, decorating her home for all the holidays, building a collection of angels and keeping up with family. As she aged, she retained her sarcastic humor, her seat at the kitchen table, her supportive listening ear, and her feisty nature.

Kasha made being a grandmother a huge part of her life, and she played a very active role in the lives of her grandchildren. She nurtured their interests in a wide range of activities, including soccer, baseball, music, science, reading, and art. She always showed great interest in whatever her grandchildren were doing, no matter what that was, and she could always find a way to provide support that might help them accomplish their dreams.

Kasha's children will miss their phone calls and visits with her, where she provided support, shared in their joys, listened to their frustrations, and offered unwavering faith and support during times of uncertainty and struggle.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

ROSARYTUESDAY, JULY 30, 20247:00 PMST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH7734 ROBIN REST DRIVESAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209

MASSWEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 202412:30 PMST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH7734 ROBIN REST DRIVESAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209

Father Pat O’Brien will officiate. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Kasha wished to have contributions made to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Pius X Catholic Church.