Born Patricia L. Cukjati 1938 August 4 to Frederic John Cukjati and Kathryn Mary Cukjati in Milwaukee, Wisconsin she is survived by: Sister Mary (AKA Dee) of Denver, Colorado; brother Ray, his wife Deborah (Hinners) of West Allis, Wisconsin; nephews Joseph, and wife Tanya O’Brien of East Providence, Rhode Island; Jonathan, his children Scarlet, Ember, and Rowan of Naperville, Illinois.
Pat graduated St. Mary’s Academy High School in Milwaukee 1956 and entered The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in Milwaukee 1958 taking the name Fredericka (as her father's namesake) until she left the Order in 1976. During this time she taught at St. Sebastian Elementary School, Sacred Heart Elementary School, St Veronica Elementary School, St. Stephen Elementary School, Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, and at St Joseph Elementary School in Grafton, Wisconsin. She went on a foot prayer pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Assisi, Italy 1970. Freddie was a learner and she graduated Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education 1972, and received a Master of Arts in Education and Library Media one year later from the University of Colorado, in Boulder.
Freddie enjoyed teaching children of all ages. She knew children loved to learn, and she shared in that love of learning. She was as at home with preschoolers as she was with high schoolers. From reading to critical thinking, she understood how children learned, and knew how to apply that knowledge. She encouraged students to read, as that was a source of knowledge and a source of empowerment.
Everyone knew she loved books, and loved to read. She often gifted books to children she knew. She built, moved, and ran school libraries of all sorts. She always ran the schools’ book fairs, and usually enlisted the students at the school to help, regardless of age. Libraries were her passion, and she ran, organized, and maintained libraries at Regis High School, Regis College, Stukey Elementary, and Kunsberg School in the National Jewish Medical Center, in Denver, as well as being a Library Media Specialist Consultant for Sheridan School District, in Sheridan, Colorado for 10 years.
Pat lived her entire life with enthusiastic enjoyment and had many adventurous life experiences. Being the oldest child in her family, she was an explorer and a strong willed, independent thinker. As a nun she went on a trip to Israel and had many memories of her time there, and throughout her life kept in touch with her sisters still in the order.
She had many pets in her life including dogs and cats and was a loving pet mom. Pat enjoyed her nephews, and lovingly sent Christmas and birthday packages filled with books and toys, beautifully wrapped with colorful paper.
Towards the end of her life, with her vision impaired, she stayed active in her yard, and took classes for using a cane, so she could go for walks and maintain her independence. She truly loved to experience the world and will be missed greatly by those who knew her.
A celebration of Freddie’s life will be Monday, June 24th from 10:30 to 2:00 pm at: Mickey's Top Sirloin 6950 Broadway, Denver, CO 80221 https://mtsusa.co A Buffet Style Lunch will be served.
Memories of Freddie and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.
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