Winona A. Kirkpatrick

Winona A. Kirkpatrick of Frazer, PA, aged 73, died on 5 February 2008 at Donnell House in Washington, PA after a brief illness. Winona’s astounding strength facing death was a powerful example to us all. Winona Rockefeller was born in Jersey City, NJ, on 12 December 1934. Surviving Winona are her three children, Dr. Lee Kirkpatrick, Dr. Michael Kirkpatrick, and Mrs. Susan Ailleris, her son in law Mr. Philippe Ailleris, two grandchildren, Luc and Emilie Ailleris, sister Mrs. Roberta Rizas and brother in law Mr. Ronald Rizas, and various loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Genevieve M. White, adored sister Genevieve Wallis and a beloved nephew and 2 nieces. Winona graduated from Neptune High School in 1952 and was married in 1954 to H. Lee Kirkpatrick. She continued her education at Monmouth Community College (now known as Monmouth University) and after her divorce eventually moved to Pennsylvania. During the 70s she enjoyed the challenges of working for Chester County as an Economic Development Coordinator, and continued evening study at Antioch College and Villanova University. In 1983 she began working as a Document Control Specialist at General Electric in King of Prussia, PA. She learned sign language and became a translator for her deaf colleagues in her spare time, and for them she championed the introduction of TTY’s into the company. After retirement she returned to the workforce with the company now called Lockheed Martin and was employed there at the time of her death. Winona was first and formeost a lover and protector of all things natural; an avid and accomplished gardener and a dedicated animal caregiver, not only for her own animals, Bee Bee, her funny parakeet, Pegasus, her beloved house rabbit, Angel and Roo, later rabbit additions, and her darling cat Tawny, but to all animals. She loved to sit on her terrace, watch the birds and the trees and the squirrels, and listen to the world. She was an adoring mother to her three children and tirelessly encouraged their relationships with one another despite the geographical distance that separated them. Winona excelled in art and had an ever-active creative mind. She saw beauty in all things, even and most especially those things forgotten by others (a devoted dumpster diver!); she was continuously occupied with renewing and restoring her discoveries. Her sketch of Neptune High School, drawn when she was only 17, has become a family treasure. Beyond her formal education she was remarkably well read, continuously striving to learn and constantly challenging herself intellectually. Winona was cremated, at her request, and no additional service was held. Her children would like to thank the staff of Fox Chase Cancer Center, Jefferson Health Care, the Donnell House and our family, friends, and friendly strangers for their kindness and support. In remembrance of Winona, donations may be made to the animal charity of your choice. While Winona was not religious she was exceptionally spiritual. Her favorite poem, Abu Ben Adhem, by James Henry Leigh Hunt, echos her heart’s view of man and God and we include it here as a tribute to her: Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold:— Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the Presence in the room he said "What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men." The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.