Jacinta Patricia Birkenfeld

Jacinta Patricia Gonzalez Birkenfeld was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on March 17, 1914. She moved to New York City when she was four years old with her parents, Francisco and Agripina and three siblings Francisco, Elena and Jose and they all lived and attended school in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan. Jacinta attended nursing school (Harlem Hospital) and as she was working as a registered nurse went to school in the evening receiving her Bachelor's and Master's degree from New York University. She worked as a public health nurse and visited homes supporting families in Manhattan. Jacinta followed in her brother Joe's footsteps and enlisted in the Army during World War II in 1943. She served her country proudly as a First Lieutenant in Mitchell Field Long Island stabilizing wounded soldiers arriving from Europe so they could be transferred to their local hospitals to recuperate near their families back in the United States. She left the Army in 1946 to take care of her mother, who became ill, after her brother Joe was killed in action in Germany. Jacinta then worked in the Veterans Administration Hospital on Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx caring for the soldiers she helped stabilize at Mitchell Field. Jacinta met Karl Birkenfeld in 1951 when she was taking a photography class to learn how to use the camera her brother Joe left to her. They began dating and married in 1952 in the Bronx. Together they settled in the Bronx and had two children Cynthia and Karl. Jacinta was a career woman and found a way to have small children and work at the same time. She transferred to the Veteran's Administration Regional Office where she worked in the outpatient clinic during the day serving the veterans once again that were injured during World War II. Eventually Jacinta would become head of Admissions and Outpatient services in the Manhattan Veteran's Administration Hospital. Jacinta retired in 1978. Jacinta and Karl raised their family in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. She was a wonderful cook and she cooked fresh meals every day in spite of her busy family and work life. Every summer the family would vacation in upstate New York, touring the state and staying in small family friendly cabin motels. When their children were in college, Jacinta and Karl began to travel the world together. They visited England, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and many other countries. They also toured the United States visiting all of the western states including Hawaii. They enjoyed organized tours every year and Jacinta would begin planning the next trip as soon as they came home. Jacinta and Karl moved to Yonkers in 1972. Jacinta, known to her friends as Pat, enjoyed her neighborhood and became very involved with the Senior Center at the Charlie Cola Community Center after Karl died on August 30, 1992. She made many friends and would go to lunch with a group of seniors every month. Jacinta enjoyed visiting casinos and would go weekly by herself and with trips organized by the local senior groups. She was an avid shopper and enjoyed daily trips to Cross County and White Plains. Jacinta enjoyed working with her hands, she sewed costumes for her grandchildren and became interested in basket weaving after taking a course at Elizabeth Seton College. She enjoyed the craft classes at the Charlie Cola Community Center very much. Jacinta made many Christmas tree and other decorations which are displayed in her house to this day. Jacinta was very close to her family. She doted on her four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She led an active life driving until the age of 97. Jacinta was a deeply religious person and was very touched when the pastor, Fr. Staar presented her with flowers at Christ the King Church during her favorite five o'clock mass when she turned one hundred. The Charlie Cola Senior group and the Rotary also honored her with wonderful celebrations when she turned one hundred years old. Jacinta made a speech in which she expressed her hope that everyone could enjoy the wonderful family, excellent health and wonderful experiences that she was able to enjoy throughout her life. Jacinta was a truly remarkable person. Jacinta was escorted to heaven on August 30, 2018 we assume by her husband, Karl, on the 26th anniversary of his passing. Jacinta is survived by her two children Cynthia Eisner and son-in-law Fredrick, Karl and daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grandchildren Chris (Nicole) Eisner, Samantha (Joshua) Sorrentino, Andrew and Karl David Birkenfeld, four great grandchildren, Henry and Vivian Eisner and Olivia and Elena Sorrentino. She is also survived by her friends and caretakers Rosa, Luz, Agueda and Sona who lovingly assisted in her care right up until the end of her life. Jacinta was grateful for all the friends from her community that always greeted her with affection and love. Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Monday 2-4 & 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Christ the King Church on Tuesday September 4th at 10am. Entombment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com