Kathy Vaczi spent most of her life in a wheelchair after being injured in a car accident. She raised 2 girls on her own, taught 2nd grade for decades, had a house built to suit her unique needs, fought for the needs of disabled people and kept an amazing garden.
Kathy was a larger-than-life type of person and because of this she left an indelible impression on me in my formative years. I am fortunate to have a treasure trove of memories and character development because of my time spent with her.
I recall the time we went to the Philadelphia Flower Show. We ended up driving around from one car garage to another circling each level looking for a Van Assessable Handicap parking spot. The few spots were full. We just kept looking. It seemed like we spent 2 hours driving in circles and its possible we did spend that much time driving around. It was frustrating for both of us. A lesser person might have just scraped the plan and decided to do something else. But not Kathy. She was undaunted. Her persistence paid off; we eventually found an empty spot. We rejoiced and savored each display. She poured over the vendors dreaming up what she needed to make her yard even better.
She taught me persistence and determination. Kathy called on me to do some gardening tasks I wasn't always sure I could handle. Everything I learned about busting my ass for the sake of your garden I gained from her working me hard, pointing and directing - a little more this way or that way. I remember vividly dividing up Hostas. I threw every pound of my little 100-pound self into dividing up those rooty beasts. I tried my hardest to make it happen, because I didn't want to let her down. Even though, I secretly wished one of her nephews would just do this task. I got it done each time and was sore the next day, but it was satisfying work.
Many times, I have taken on yard tasks - dividing up Ornamental Grass, turning over a vegetable garden one shovel-full at a time or went at weeds with the viciousness of a Viking. I managed each of those hard tasks because I had once done hard work for Kathy. She inspired me to work hard. She exuded determination and I should be like her. Miles and hours apart, she was always with me in the garden. She always will be.
She was a fighter, who used the tragedy to her body to show the world what can be done if you set your mind to it. If you work hard enough and if you have a good pointer to direct people willing to help, you can change the world. Kathy fought for herself. She fought for others. She taught more than just reading and math but how to live life with determination, how to overcome the challenges that life throws at you and how to point and give good directions.
I am comforted in the fact that this great woman, who I always thought of as more than a friend, but a mentor has gone on to glory. I have no doubt she has heard the line we should all long to hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Her body is perfect now, no more pain, no more disabilities, and she can divide her own hostas now if she wants to.
You were a beautiful soul, and it was an honor to know you.
