Kathleen Meagher Stoudemire

Mrs. Kathleen Rose Marie Meagher Stoudemire passed away on April 6, 2015, at her home in Jacksonville, Florida, with her loving husband, John, by her side. Kathleen was born in Englewood, New Jersey, on June 13, 1922. Kathleen and John were married for 72 years and resided in Orange Park, Florida, and later in Jacksonville.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Elizabeth Meagher (New Jersey), an infant daughter, Jane Carol Stoudemire and her eldest daughter, Kathleen (Babba) Stoudemire.

Besides her loving husband, Kathleen will be sadly missed by her surviving children, Nancy Jo (Preston) Angel, Judith Wright, John B. Stoudemire, Jr., and Richard M. (Dee) Stoudemire. She was loved and cherished by her grandchildren, Reid (MaryAnna) Geisenhoff, Heather (Craig) Shryock, Jane Stoudemire, Jack Stoudemire and McKenna Stoudemire. She was also blessed with three great grandchildren, Hayden Kilpatrick, Madelyn DeFranco , and Phoebe Geisenhoff. Kathleen was affectionately known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Mimi”.

During the course of her life, Kathleen touched many lives. She was a beautiful woman, full of grace and charm whose effervescent smile and laugh warmed everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her world centered on her family whom she loved with all of her heart.

Kathleen and John traveled the world during their marriage. Whether traveling in her beloved France, riding an elephant in Hyderabad or cruising the Danube, she never met a stranger. On a trip through Romania, she met a young man who dreamed of coming to America to become a physician. With her assistance, Ovidiu Palea obtained an internship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. He later obtained his M.D. and today he is a successful anesthesiologist.

Her culinary talent was honed to a fine art. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. She cooked with many chefs, including Jacques Pepin and her friend, Didier Busnot. She often hosted dinner parties and gatherings that afforded her friends and family many opportunities to enjoy her fine cooking.

She studied French and became fluent. Aside from assisting in her travels, she helped numerous French-speaking Haitians in their transition to this country. Every morning Kathleen could be found completing crossword puzzles, in English and in French. To stay fit, she became an avid golfer and had a regular foursome.

Kathleen was a past chairman for the American Heart Association Charity Ball, past president of the Women’s Club of Orange Park, and an active volunteer for the Cummer Museum of Art and St. Vincent’s Hospital .She was a member of the Jacksonville Symphony Guild, and a member of Timuquana Country Club.

The Stoudemire family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Kathleen’s primary caregivers, Marcella Ivey, Marianne Boyd, Wendy Douglass, Tianna Gaskins, Phyllis Smith, Antionia Wells, Sharon Campbell and Nica Gumbs. Marcela Ivey and her loyal staff provided love and support to Kathleen, her husband, John, and their entire family.

The family also wants to thank Community Hospice of Northeast Florida for the compassionate care and attention they provided Kathleen. Should friends or family wish to do so, contributions in Kathleen’s memory may be sent to Community Hospice at (support.communityhospice.com) or (904) 886-3883.

A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at a later date to be announced.