Josepha Jean Kuklinski Fitzpatrick

Josepha Jean Kuklinski Fitzpatrick

September 02, 1930 - May 14, 2022

Josepha Jean Kuklinski Fitzpatrick

September 02, 1930 - May 14, 2022

Obituary

JOSEPHA JEAN KUKLINSKI FITZPATRICK

 

Toodle-loo! Josepha Jean (Kuklinski) Fitzpatrick was born September 2, 1930, in San Jose, CA. She and her twin, the late Alice Joan (Franck) were among 8 children born to the late Frank I. Kuklinski and Mary B. (Harrington) Kuklinski. She joined the communion of saints on May 14, 2022 in Mission Viejo, CA. She was 91 years old and touched the lives of many.  She was very proud of and is survived by her three children, Mary Kay (Denis Kuemerle), Jim (Cindy Tobin Walsh) and Annie Fitzpatrick (Jim Rogers), and granddaughter, Caitlin Plewniak. Known as Jean by her friends and family, she worked in the Engineering Department at Santa Clara University where she met and married James P. Fitzpatrick. He predeceased her in 2015. They were married 62 years.

 

Jean served her family as a stay-at-home mother. When she married, she did not know how to cook. She found recipes in magazines and newspapers and mounted them in a Composition book which became her first cookbook. She became a fabulous gourmet cook, and taught her daughters the same. She and her husband hosted dinners for family, many work associates, friends and neighbors. They loved to party.  She never knew a stranger. If she met you in a restaurant, you were invited to dinner the next week. She made all of her own clothes and those of her daughters, until they could make their own. After surviving cancer, she knit chemo hats for women recovering from cancer treatment. She was a talented painter and loved special time in Lake Tahoe.

 

As was often the case with children growing up during the depression, she knew how to stretch a dollar. She saved her quarters to provide Christmas gifts and special treats. She never had a credit card bill in January. She put a $50 check down on their first house, and had to go borrow the money from Grandpa to cover it. They lived there for 58 years.  She enjoyed gambling and often beat the odds. She will be missed for her sense of humor, her congeniality and of course, her cooking.

 

Friends and family are invited to share their stories and a simple memorial service on Wednesday, June 15 from 7-9 pm. at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA. Another service will take place in Santa Clara in September.

 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

 

St. Ignatius High School, San Francisco, 2001 37th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94116, for scholarships in the name of James P. Fitzpatrick, or

 

Marianist Mission (for children’s education in India or Africa), 4435 E Patterson Rd, Dayton, OH 45430 in memory of James P. and J. Jean Fitzpatrick or

 

The Dominican Sisters Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd., San Jose, CA 94539.

 

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: June 15, 2022 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
  • Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
  • Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 581-4300

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

Leave A Condolence

Choose a Candle