WESTFIELD: Kathleen S. (Jeske) McGovern, 65, of Westfield, passed away at home on March 16, 2015, surrounded by her family after a long illness. She was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 12, 1949 to Richard K. and Dolores M. (Hauk) Jeske. Kathy grew up in Milwaukee and was a graduate of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount Mary University in WI. She moved to Westfield in 1978 and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Westfield.Kathy met her husband, Bob, at a party while he was in medical school. As luck would have it, Bob won the lottery that day. Kathy’s soft spoken presence and radiant personality swept him off his feet. They were married soon after and had three children. Her selfless pursuit of other’s happiness defined who she was. She could light up a room with her smile and could calm any storm with her gentle touch. Her family was her everything, and everyone that came into contact with her felt the purity of her love. She had a huge heart and all who had the good fortune to call her wife, mom, grandma, sister,…friend will forever remember her that way. As her family, we are lucky and thankful for the love she showered down upon us. Her spirit lives on within us and will burn strong in our hearts forever. You are missed. We love you.
Kathy leaves her husband of 41 years, Dr. Robert P. McGovern, and their children, Erin K. McGovern of Holyoke, Kevin P. McGovern and his wife Katie of Fair Haven, NJ, Brian R. McGovern of New York, New York and a sister Cynthia Denk of Brookfield, WI, and two grandchildren, Ryan K. and Ellie L. McGovern.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 9:30 AM from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church in Westfield at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to Griffin’s Friends Children’s Cancer Fund, Baystate Health Foundation, Inc., 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01109, or to the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, Baystate Health Foundation, Inc., 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01109.
