Beatrice M. Kirkeby, 88, of St. Augustine, Fla., died on April 27, 2013 at the Bailey Center for Caring.
She was a native of Ansonia, Connecticut and had resided in Florida since 1992.
She was a devoted wife of 58 years to Samuel Nelson “Kirk” Kirkeby (1921 – 2003) and mother of six.
She was active both at home and in her work as a realtor, Executive Secretary with General Electric in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in Public Relations at the University of Bridgeport, where her four daughters received their college degrees.
She was also a dedicated and active parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Huntington, Connecticut and St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine. She also enjoyed participating with the Council on Aging. As a note to remember, she was a five-time winner on the 1961 TV quiz show “ Charge Account with Jan Murray.”
At the age of 86, after 40 years since she last played, she started bowling again, which was, quote: “The happiest time of my life since the passing of Kirk.”
She was largely a self-educated person who loved to read non-fiction books, and instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of education. She was active in the Garden Club, was a teacher with “Learn to Read,” and with CCD at St. Anastasia Catholic Church.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anastasia Catholic Church on May 27, 2013 at 9:00 am with Father Seamus O’Flynn as Celebrant.
Survivors include her children: Robert Nelson Kirkeby, Mary Anne Motlagh, Laurie Jean Sweeney, Diane Debra DeBlasi, Kristina Marie Field, and Kevin Charles Gerard Kirkeby, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and eight nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her two brothers, one sister, and a nephew.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Mrs. Kirkeby’s name to the Bailey Center for Caring c/o Community Hospice of Northeast Florida 4266 Sunbeam Rd Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park of St. Augustine, Florida (www.craigfuneralhome.com) is in charge of arrangements.
