Kathleen Mirra, 64

Kathleen Mirra, 64, passed away at home on November 6, 2014. She was the daughter of the late Cataldo and Helen (Zganich) Tramontana of Pittston, PA. She is survived by her husband Dave; two children Jessica O’Brian and Mark Mirra; two grandchildren, Audrina and Fischer O’Brian; son in law Ben O’Brian; and two sisters Jackie Corbett of Laflin, PA, and Georgine Tripodi of Buffalo, NY.

Kathy graduated from Pittston Area High School, attended Misericordia University, and graduated from Temple University where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work. While living in Camp Lejeune, NC, she continued her education at East Carolina University where she earned teaching certification in K-8 education in 1990. She taught for the next 20 years and retired as a middle school teacher at Stafford Middle School for Stafford County Public Schools in VA.

Kathy had a wide variety of passions and explored many opportunities that were of interest to her. Her love for nature was unparalleled, and many facets of her life were centered on being in the presence of and caring for animals. She enjoyed horseback riding, bird watching and photographing,and adopting and caring for older and homeless dogs. She also served as an intern on a sheep farm for two summers. Her curiosity and love for travel took her all over the world; her taste and appreciation for the finer things in life made her an exceptional chef and wine connoisseur; and her artistic talents gifted us with things such as crafts featured in Country Living Magazine and hand-made quilts that will be cherished by her family members forever. Over the last few years, however, she was focused almost exclusively on her grandchildren. She formed a very special bond with them and was affectionately known to them as “mom mom.”

A memorial service will be held at Noon on Friday, November 14 at Quantico Marine Memorial Chapel, 3251 Embry Loop on the Marine Corps Base. Interment will follow in Quantico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy would like donations made to the Pet Assistance League of Virginia at http://www.pal-va.org/ and/or the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition athttp://www.ovarian.org/.

Other online information can be found at www.caringbridge.org

Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg is serving the Mirra family.

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