Christy Watkins Pollacci

April 20, 1955 - September 22, 2024

“Always be humble and kind, kinder than necessary.”

Christy Watkins Pollacci passed away peacefully on September 22, 2024, after a courageous two year battle with ovarian cancer. She willingly accepted every treatment available to her, so that she did not miss one precious moment with the family she cherished. It was in that love and warmth of her family that Christy left us too soon.

Born on April 20, 1955, in Alameda, California, Christy's early life was nurtured by the love and guidance of her parents, Gerry and Betty Watkins. Her passion for education became evident early on, leading her to pursue a degree in early education from California State University, Fresno. It was during this time that fate intervened, introducing her to Mark Pollacci, her future husband, and the love of her life. Their shared love of family and Mark’s unending support of Christy’s passion to make a positive impact on children's lives intertwined, culminating in their marriage in 1979.

Christy began teaching at Santa Catalina in 1979 as a third-grade teacher. She believed the beginning was everything. With her innate ability to connect with young minds, she quickly became a devoted and passionate leader for the Catalina community. Over her 33 years at Catalina, Christy held various leadership positions within the school, including Director of Admissions and Head of Lower and Middle School, leaving an indelible mark on countless students and colleagues alike.

Christy's belief in the transformative power of education was unwavering. She firmly believed that Santa Catalina had the unique opportunity to ignite the potential within each child, helping them discover their strengths and guiding them towards fulfilling their aspirations. Her dedication to her students was evident in every aspect of her work, as she tirelessly advocated for their well-being and growth.

Christy was a warm and loving wife, mother and Mimi to her family. She was the holder of the family traditions and loved nothing more than to cook and have her family home for the holidays. She was the essence of grace in everything she did. She was generous of spirit and always had a way of making you feel that you mattered.

Sadly, Christy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mark Pollacci, her parents Gerry and Betty Watkins and her sister Laurie Watkins. However, Christy’s legacy lives on through her son, Ryan (Sara), her daughter, Megan (Peter), her sister, Kerry (Jeffrey), and three cherished grandchildren, Matthew, William, and Mark. And many nieces and nephews.

To honor Christy's memory, a Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Mass of the Resurrection on Friday, October 11, at 2:00 p.m. Both celebrations will be at Santa Catalina School, Rosary Chapel, 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, California 93940.

The Pollacci family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Zach Koontz, whose unwavering support and friendship adorned Christy's final journey with grace and compassion.

As a testament to Christy's enduring legacy, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Christy and Mark Pollacci Endowment for Lower and Middle School Financial Aid. Through this fund, Christy's spirit will continue to nurture and empower generations of young learners, ensuring that her steadfast commitment to education lives on forever.