St. Vincent athletics file photo

Kristen Zawacki, the only women's basketball coach in the history of St. Vincent, was found dead in her home on Saturday, Christmas Day, having died of an apparent heart attack.

Zawacki, 52, won her 500th career game last season. Her Bearcats are 9-1 this season and were ranked in the D3hoops.com Top 25 before an early-December loss to Juniata.

"Kristen was an extraordinary individual, successful coach and caring administrator who will be missed dearly by all who knew her," said Br. Norman Hipps, the president of St. Vincent in a statement. "Please join me in praying for Kristen and extending our most heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time."

"She was under a lot of stress. Work. She worried about everybody," her mother, Bridget Zawacki, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The family is inviting friends to a public memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica, Latrobe, followed by a reception luncheon in the college dining room.