December 1969 – June 2019
This is the story of Brigitte (Klocke) Wallace. Brigitte was an exceptional woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Brig,” as she liked to be called by her Family & Friends, or “Meatball,” as she was called when she was little, was an amazing wife, mom, daughter, and sister like no other could be.
Brigitte was renowned for her ability to understand children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in teaching others how best to educate and care for them. She was a tireless advocate for the children and young adults in our local community and beyond. Brigitte served on the Half Hollow Hills Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) Board, taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) to children with special needs at St. Matthew’s R.C.C. and supported her husband (Jimmy) during his many years of coaching youth sports.
Brigitte met her husband Jimmy the day after her 12th birthday. They first kissed at his sisters 8th grade graduation party under a pear tree planted by Jimmy’s Great-Grand Father. Brigitte loved Jimmy and they were married for over 25 years. Although faced with many adversities, Brigitte always said they would overcome anything as long as they were together. Her last conscious act was to kiss Jimmy goodbye.
Her son James is a testament to her faith, as she disregarded medical advice and carried him to term in 2000. Her “miracle baby” as she liked to call him has grown to be a phenomenal young man that is following her footsteps in his study of psychology. She loved the times they had just being together and talking during her times of illness. Brigitte was always proud of his accomplishments and excited about his dreams to travel the world helping others. Her “Big Baby” Joey was born in 2001. Having Autism, God couldn’t have provided him with a more appropriate mother. Brigitte strived every day of his life to ensure that he had every opportunity to become an active, participating member of his community and that he would have a fulfilling and happy life. She was so proud of him and his Half Hollow Hills East teammates winning their second Suffolk County Basketball Championship this year.
Brigitte loved to be outside and surrounded by nature. She and James enjoyed kayaking together on Long Island, in the Catskills and down in Florida. Brigitte was well known for raising and maintaining Orchids that filled her home year-round with blooming flowers. Brigitte enjoyed traveling with her family and just sitting on the beach listening to the ocean. If there was anywhere Brigitte loved to be with her family it was near the water.
Brigitte’s nieces and nephews were always on her mind and in her heart. There’s no denying that she loved them as if they were her own children. Time spent with her “kids” was always special for her, and she loved spoiling them during the holidays and for their birthdays.
Loved ones that will miss Brigitte until they meet again are her husband Jimmy; her sons James and Joey; her sister Melissa; her brother William; her Sister and Brothers-in-law Donna, Lori, Karen, Michael, and Frank; her Father William, her Parents-in-law Harry and Martha; and her nieces and nephews Nikki, Donovan, Jordan, Sophia, Ethan, Kaitlin, Megan and Kristin.
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