Obituary

Dez Zamek passed away from cancer on Oct. 28, 2020 and was laid to rest at Larkspur, TN's first conservation burial ground.

Dez was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Reuben Ashington, as well her in-laws, Li Jacobs & Alex Zamek. She is survived by her husband Paul, brother Graham Ashington, sister Jennifer Martens, sisters-in-law Vena Periera and Valerie Hirson, nieces Sian Haddow, Jessica Pereira, Sharry Brown, and nephews Gary and Dereck Hirson.

Dez was born in Durban, South Africa on February 29, 1952, a leap year baby which is why she looked decades younger than she was! She grew up in a small village named Ngqeleni in Transkei, South Africa where her parents owned the Coldstream Hotel. Dez went to boarding school and was educated at the private girl's school, Maris Stella Convent. Dez received a degree in fashion design at the Cape Town School of Fashion Design. Dez and Paul met in 1970 and were married on Thursday February 14th, 1974, a hot summer day in midweek. Typical for these 2 romantics!

Dez's career included working as a designer, master tailor, and pattern maker for both mass production factories, as well as South Africa's most renowned couturiers. Later, she owned and ran Kirsten Academy of Fashion Design, one of South Africa's most prestigious design schools. Paul and Dez moved to Nashville, TN in 1985, and Dez' s career continued here as a successful designer and master tailor. Her clientele included many top entertainers and members of Nashville society to whom she referred as her "Nashville Ladies".

Dez was kind, courageous, strong, compassionate, considerate, curious, and was emphatically against all forms of animal and human cruelty, prejudice or racism. Stylish, poised, and classic, she was a beautiful soul as well as a stunningly beautiful woman. She was a keen gardener, yoga student, voracious reader, wonderful cook, and always had a great spirit of adventure. She and Paul loved traveling all over the USA and the world.

Paul would like to thank Dr. David Spigel, Congregation Micah, and their many family members and friends throughout the world. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Larkspur Conservation, PO Box 120279, Nashville, TN 37212.