Kathleen Marie Jacobsen, 65, known to her friends and family as Kitty, was born in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, on May 13, 1949. She was the youngest of 6 children, born to William and Catherine O'Connell. Following secondary school, Kitty moved to Canada in 1967 to study cosmetology, and not too long after immigrated to the US in 1969, with the help of her sister, Phyllis Sampson and her husband Tom. After confirming that she would be able to retain her Irish citizenship, she chose to obtain her US citizenship to become a true Irish-American in 2008.
Frank and Mary Shriane introduced Kitty to Gordon Jacobsen at an Irish-American dance shortly after her arrival to Seattle, where Kitty announced to Gordon that she was going to marry him. Not too long after, they were indeed married and the two just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.
Kitty and Gordon spent their marriage very involved in Seattle's Irish community. They had a large circle of friends, both young and old, and found joy raising their children to appreciate their Irish heritage. Kitty insisted their children be raised in the Catholic faith and they worked hard as a couple to educate their children in local Catholic schools. A longtime member of St. Bernadette parish, she ensured that all of her children received the sacrament of baptism, confession, first communion and confirmation.
Nothing made her more proud than her three children. David, who is widely known in Seattle's Irish community, is the eldest. Followed by their first daughter, Yvonne, and their baby, Nicole, all of the children participated fully in the Irish Community functions. Kitty and Gordon were overjoyed to have been gifted 8 beautiful granddaughters. David and Gabby have the eldest two, Daisy and Diana. Yvonne and Greg Mavor have three, Ashley, Kaitlyn and Morgan. Nicole and Carlton Wright have three, Savannah, Sydney and Anola. Although the Mavors reside in Atlanta, GA., and the Wrights live in Sellersburg, IN., Kitty and Gordon enjoyed visiting them often and celebrated their grandchildren's' accomplishments.
Kitty worked several jobs while raising children, both hers and the rest of the children in the neighborhood. She worked at a dry cleaner, at a sorority, at Longacres, and finally settled into school kitchens with the Seattle School District, all the while running the kids to school, field trips, sporting practices and games, drill team performances, paper routes, etc. She was never happier than when surrounded by children, and took great joy in cuddling babies.
Kitty and Gordon took many trips during their marriage, usually ending up in Ireland at least every other year. For their 25th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Ireland and then on to Norway to meet some of Gordon's family. There was never a shortage of family trips which often included climbing into the back of Gordon's Hobart van and traveling to cities all over Washington to enjoy a hotel and a pool while Gordon worked. They both made certain their children had wonderful childhood memories and never wanted their children to forget how they truly loved them.
Gordon and Kitty were honored to be recognized as Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2001 St. Patrick's Day parade. They both served as members of the Irish Heritage Club board and organized many of the Irish functions. Kitty successfully ran the Soda Bread contest and Children's Christmas party for several years. She was entertaining and friendly, and stories about her have been retold and embellished for years.
She will be missed by family and friends, most especially by her dear husband Gordon who has taken care of her and loved her for the majority of his life. Kitty was loved and will be remembered for her spirit and love of life.
A memorial mass will be celebrated this coming Wednesday, June 25, at 11:00am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Burien. A reception to celebrate her life will follow in the church hall.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis
May her faithful soul be at the right of God
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