Mrs. Florence V. Kalka

KALKA, Florence V. (nee Jacubetz), 88, of Twp. of Washington, NJ, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Florence was born in Clifton, NJ to Joseph and Julia Jacubetz. Beloved wife of the late Emil Kalka. Devoted mother of son James and his partner Edna; and daughter Candice Lopez. Loving grandmother of Evan Lopez . Dear sister of Jake and Edward. She is also survived by her dear friends Thelma, Rita and Agnes. The family will receive their friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Monday, August 5, 2-4 and 7-9PM. The family will gather for the Funeral Service celebrating Florence's life and faith at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 6 at 10AM. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson, NJ.

Florence died peacefully, where she wanted to be, at home with Candice, Jim and Edna at her side. She was the youngest (88) of 5 brothers and 1 sister. When we moved to Washington Township in 1955, her widowed mother Julia moved with us so she wouldn’t be alone. Julia lived with Mom until her death in 1978 at age 99, with Mom being a devoted caretaker in Julia’s later years.

Mom loved having a full house of family, and she stayed in contact with those who moved out of the area. She always looked forward to phone calls and visits from her nieces and nephews; especially Carl, who I don’t think missed a holiday call. She especially enjoyed visiting Carl in Wyoming. She also was close to her late sister, Etty, and Etty’s husband, Nick, and she and Dad enjoyed trips to Atlantic City with them.

Dad’s family was smaller, but Mom always enjoyed celebrating Russian Christmas with Dad, his mother Mary, his brother Mickey and wife Ann, and their children Gerrie and Debbie. The oatmeal soup was always a thrill, inside joke.

Also, Mom was so proud of her grandson Evan Lopez, whom she loved dearly and would do anything for.

Mom had many close friends including Thelma, Rita, Sally and her daughter Sally Ann, Dolly, and Agnes. Mom, Dad, and their friends enjoyed many block parties. They were especially close to Thelma and Bob, and the two couples visited Atlantic City and Canada.

My we all remember Florence as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and jokester who loved her family and friends.