Ms. Kathleen D. �Kathy� Galarita, age 71, formerly of Kingsland, GA, passed away on Friday morning, April 22, 2016 at Lakeside Nursing and Rehab in Jacksonville.

Born in Chicago, she was one of four children born to the late Walter John Ryan, a WW II Veteran and Helen May Johnston Ryan. Her family moved to Tampa, FL in the late 1940s where she grew up and was a graduate of Chamberlain High School. After high school she began a long career in Accounting, Payroll and Banking. She worked in Hawaii for over 20 years before moving to and working in Kingsland and Waycross, GA.

Kathy was an avid supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project and spearheaded the efforts in St. Mary�s, GA that established the annual Wounded Warrior Day.

She was a devout Christian and for the past 6 years has enjoyed writing and sharing her patriotic and religion based poetry.

Kathy leaves behind her son, Edward �Buddy� Galarita II and his wife, Amanda, Waluku, Maui, HI, her sister, Peggy Richard (Fred), Fernandina Beach, FL, her two brothers, Walter F. �Wally� Ryan, Ft. Myers, FL, John Andrew Ryan (Particia), Hoschton, GA, three grandchildren, Shelby, Enjolie, Edward Galarita III and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 5:30 pm on Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Kingsland First Baptist Church, 295 East Chester Street, Kingsland, GA with Reverend Brian Parks, officiating.

Her family will receive friends at the church.