VISTA, Calif. (CBS 8) - Friends and family came together at a vigil Monday night to celebrate the life of Kathy Scharbarth, after the Carlsbad woman was stalked and murdered last month, allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend.
At a vigil at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Vista Monday evening, Kathy was remembered for the loving mother, sister, daughter and friend that she was.
The church and school community know the Scharbarth family well. Kathy's mother is a teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, and Kathy's 13-year-old daughter Madison is in the 8th grade there.
Kathy was an avid volunteer and room mom at the school. Teacher Cindy Skraby attended the vigil and told CBS 8, "She was on the last field trip I took with my 8th graders. We went to Knott's Berry Farm. She went on all the roller coasters with the kids and they had the best time. That's what the kids remember-- they could always count on Kathy."
The vigil began with a montage of photos highlighting Kathy's life. Skraby told CBS 8, "It was very emotional. It was really bittersweet because we all want her back, and we want her to be a part of our lives. She will be greatly missed by many many people."
The montage also included a video of Kathy's infectious laugh. "That is the thing that we'll all remember... is just her laugh," said Skraby, adding, "She probably had the best laugh you could ever imagine and it just made you giggle when she started to laugh."
Kathy's funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Vista, followed by her burial. The church is accepting donations in her daughter Madison's name.