Kathy Calabrese Rector

kathy rector

December 31, 1951 ~ July 30, 2024

Born in: Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in: Candler, NC

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Kathy Calabrese Rector, age 72, of Candler, NC, passed away on Tuesday July 30, 2024, at Care Partners Solace Center surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness. She is the daughter of the late Carl Calabrese and Gracelyn Ruth Cole Calabrese.

Kathy was a loving wife, a devoted mother, a cherished Mamaw, a beloved sister, and a dear aunt. Kathy touched many lives in countless ways. Kathy spent many joyful years working at Belk and Blossman Gas and made many lifelong friends at both places.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Ronald Rector of Candler; her daughter, Tara Rector Calabrese (Sheri) of Carolina Shores NC; step-son, Heath Rector of Candler, NC; grandson, Caleb Bradley (Kelly) of Hickory, NC; step- grandchildren, Shad Eller of Carolina Shores, NC, Ashley Eller Watkins (Michael), and Cianna Rector of Candler, NC; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Tyler Watkins; sister, Carla Calabrese Taylor (Larry); niece, Stephanie Taylor Harris (Tim); nephews, Nicholas and Tristan Taylor; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children Hospital.

Services

Celebration of Life: August 3, 2024 11:00 am

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 2024-08-03 11:00:00 2024-08-03 11:00:00 KathyCalabreseRectorCelebration of Life Celebration of Life 1401 Patton Ave.,Asheville, NC 28806

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    • Precious friend you will be missed,you were so loved,I’m so honored to have been part of our 1970 high school gang,my heart is broken but I know yours is mended,rest in peace❤️❤️💐

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  2. Robbie & I are so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.

    Ruthie & Robbie Dempsey

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  3. So sorry for the loss of Kathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially Ron during this time. Robbie and Brenda Chappelear

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    • I am so sorry for your loss. Kathy and l went to elementary school and high school together. She was a wonderful person and will definitely missed. Prayers for her family

      Reply

  4. Ron and family we are so sorry to hear this. We are thinking about you guys and praying that you get through this. Kenny and Linda Reed

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  5. Kathy was a loving friend for over 40 years. We shared many wonderful and fun times. She will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace our precious friend.

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  6. Carla and Family,

    I am saddened to hear of the passing of Kathy. Many great childhood memories. Living next door brought much laughter and mischief! Kathy taught me how to ride a bike with much patience❤️ I know this sweet girl will be missed. May you remember all the joy Kathy brought to you. Prayers to all.

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  7. Condolences to the family of Kathy. Kathy was always so sweet person to everyone. She will be missed.

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  9. Ronnie & family I’m so sorry to hear about Kathy. A childhood friend from the beginning of school to reconnecting the past few years I’ve always loved Kathy’s zest for enjoying life & great personality. She will be missed by many including me. You’re in my thoughts & prayers. Lynn (Wilson) Reed

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  10. Ron and Family, Don and I are so sorry to hears of your loss.
    Kathy was always full of life and beautiful smiles. She was fun to be around, even
    when she felt bad. Will never forget the story of the opossum.

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  11. Ronnie, Tara and family, we are very sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless and comfort all of you during this time of sorrow.

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  12. Ronnie, Carla and family, Even though we had not kept in touch for several years Kathy always held a special place in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God’s love and grace fill your hearts and give you peace.

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  13. My heart is broken for Kathy’s beloved husband, daughter and all the members of her precious family.
    With Kathy’s vivacious personality, she brought joy to all who were ever in her presence.

    I do think God gives greater grace to the brokenhearted and this is my prayer for all. Somehow, may each one feel God’s comfort now and in the many days to follow. I am just devasted. Your Kathy was way too young to leave all.

    With much love and prayers for all. Pease know my heart is with each one.
    Dianne

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  14. Uncle Ronnie, I am so sorry for your loss. I will forever cherish all the years that I was blessed to have her in my life (and in my corner). I will always laugh when I remember her licking the cake icing off our plates in Hilton Head. 🙂. I know she’s already running the streets with Barry, your mom, Bella, and her sweet daddy and momma. Hugs to you. Love you

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  16. You guys have been family to us for the past 20 years, not just friends but true family, literally from the day we moved into the neighborhood. We are so blessed to have been a part of y’all’s daily lives and will miss her greatly!!! All of you are in our thoughts and prayers! We are thankful that she is healed now and running those golden streets, no longer suffering! Love you guys so so much!!!

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  20. Ronnie, I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was a very brave and strong lady. Prayers for you, family, and friends. I know you and Kathy had a special bond and were truly soulmates. I have always loved you as my nephew and someday we will all meet again in heaven and the Lord knows that there’s a bunch of us. God bless 🙏

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  21. Dearest Ronnie, Tara and Sheri and all the rest of our big family, I’m so sad to know cousin Kathy has left this earth. I know it is especially tough for you all. It just sucks losing such close loved ones. I know heaven is wonderful beyond description, and we all look forward to seeing her again, but we will all miss her here greatly and it will hurt. Her lovely sense of humor–oh, those jokes, and her laugh! I have many many memories growing up around her. She was not only a cousin, but a baby sitter for me and my sisters (we had so much fun!) and as a kid I always looked up to her–she was so cute! And when she married you (Ronnie) she just absolutely glowed with your love!!! Tara, when you were born, she was also radiant and what a great mom she was!! You were the sweetest baby. So glad I got to see you and Sheri and Ronnie at the family reunion before Covid became a part of our lives that cold winter of 2019-2020. And Ronnie, my husband thinks you are one of the best folks he knows!! You are an awesome person. Hang in there now…

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  22. Ronnie, I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was such a bright beautiful soul! Praying for you and your family.

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  23. Ronnie & family, So sorry to hear of Kathy\’s passing ! Don & I spoke of you two often & how the house all came together. God answered prayers for all 4 of us & worked it out for us ! So glad we stopped by your table at Applebee\’s the other day! She looked so very happy but very tired! She\’s living in a wonderful place now of no sadness or sorrow. May you find peace & comfort in our Savior & hold on to all the memories, they will get you thru when times seem hard! Please let us know if we can help in any way ! Much love to you all!

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  24. I was so sad to hear about Kathy. She was such a brave, sweet, and funny lady and I know she will be missed terribly. Praying for Ronnie, Heath, and all of her family and friends.

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  25. Ronnie and Family,
    I’m so sorry to hear about Kathy. She was such a beautiful and sweet lady. I will pray for your family.
    Donna Godwin

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  26. Ronnie, we are saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. Our prayers for you and the family. Roy and Joyce Blankenship

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  27. I am so sorry to hear of Kathy‘s passing. We were good friends in elementary school and then after my family moved to Michigan she went on vacation with us twice down to Cherry Grove Beach. We were too late together in the eighth grade. I will miss her very much and and I will see her in heaven someday I’m sorry for your whole family. God bless you all She used to be.

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