Putnam – Victoria (Zaklukiewicz) St. Jean, 91, of Myers St., passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late John and Sophia (Ukleja) Zaklukiewicz.
Mrs. St. Jean was a graduate of the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Worcester, class of 1944. Upon graduating, she worked as a registered nurse for Dr. Mortin Chapnick. She then worked for Day Kimball OBGYN for 35 years, Dr. Edmond Raheb, and Dr. Rudolph Klare until she retired in 2008.
Mrs. St. Jean enjoyed volunteering for many years with the Red Cross at the Putnam Congregational Church. Victoria enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading, riding in the car, going out to lunch, and watching birds at the bird feeder. She was an avid piano player while she was in grade school, playing at St. Mary Church in Putnam. Victoria received the Elementary Certificate of Great Honors from the National Conservatory of Music, Montreal University, in 1938.
Victoria is survived by three sons, John R. St. Jean and his wife Christine of Brooklyn, Carl E. St. Jean and his wife Karen of Woodstock, and Bruce E. St. Jean and his wife Ellen of Woodstock; her daughter, Kathleen A. Roach and her husband Donald of Ludington, MI; her sister Angela “Nellie” LaBonte of Putnam; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Pauline Witkowski, Cecilia Zaklukiewicz, Helen Pempek, and Catherine Zaklukiewicz.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Victoria’s family from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Monday, October 6, 2014 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St, Putnam, CT. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to the Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Liz Thompson
I loved your mother so much! She was a wonderful conversationalist, and helped me greatly with her remembrances of my Ukleja family. Sharp as a tack, that was your mom. She loved telling me about you all, children, grandchildren and in-law children. She loved you all , and appreciated all that you did for her. I know you will miss her terribly. I wish to see you all at the services, but will be out of state during this next week. Please accept my sincere condolences. Your mom was 1 in a million. Hugs to you all during this difficult time.
Liz Franklin Thompson
Marion Davidson
TO Karen and her husband. Sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful lady she seemed to be
Sandra Zadora
Dear Cathy, John, Carl , Bruce and your families,
Vicky and I worked together for 14 years at Dr. Klare’s office when the office was downstairs in his home and when we moved to its present location in S. Woodstock. Vicky was a great nurse who was loved and respected by our patients. When she came to work in her white uniform, proudly wearing her St. V’s cap, she personified what a nurse should be.
She was proud of each one of you and loved to share stories about you and your families. I have many good memories of our work and our leisure times together (like going deep sea fishing with Rudy and Barbara).
My sincere sympathy to each of you in the lost of your Mother.
Sandra Zadora
Roberta Sharpe
Carl and Family:
Vicky was a true gem. She was the most delightful part of going to Dr. Klare’s office. No matter where you ran into her, she would stop and chat about whatever was going on with you. We shared an inside joke about cookies which still makes me chuckle.
Please accept my sincere condolences. I will not be able to attend the service, but I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Roberta Sharpe
Suzanne Witthoff
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. . . . .
Vicki will live on through you–her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and future generations to come. Your family has been blessed to have had her through a long and productive life, and you are to be commended for helping her transition to the final chapter of her life’s journey. It has been my pleasure to have known her and to have shared so many special family memories with all of you for these past 43 years. She emerged as a “modern” woman combining both family and career in a generation that was primarily “stay at home moms”, valued education, was probably the most truly and deeply religious person I have ever known, and above all else, dedicated to her family. I would say a life well lived!!
Thinking of you now and in the days to come. . . .
Suzanne Witthoff
JULIE WARREN
Carl, Karen & family–
Sincere sympathy on the passing of your mother.
Julie Warren
Joan Robert McDermott
Dear Johnnie, I was so sorry to hear about your mom. I’m so sorry I missed the funeral. I just heard about it today. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your mom was such a kind and gentle person. When my mom use to see Dr. Klare your mom was always so kind to her. I know how sad it is to loose a parent. God bless you.