Kathleen M. Kwiatkowski of Hockessin, DE died on Friday, April 30, of complications from cancer. She was 65 years old. She was surrounded by family and love.
Kathy’s family and friends knew her to be funny, outgoing, smart, energetic, deliberate, and strong-willed. There was purpose and conviction in everything she did, whether it was serving her clients at JP Morgan–where she worked for more than 15 years–planning the family vacations or sculpting her native species gardens.
Kathy met the love of her life in 1986, and she and Jim were married for over 30 years. She was Jim’s best friend and his life’s companion. Their greatest shared joy was their son Sam. Their happiest moment was witnessing Sam and Erika married last summer in the same church where Kathy and Jim exchanged their vows.
Though Kathy was taken far too soon, she lived life fully. She was an avid tennis player, gardener, dancer, reader, and traveler. Idle was not a state she lingered in.
She saw the best in everyone. Those she loved, she loved unconditionally. She had an enormous capacity for compassion and was quick to forgive. Above all, she cherished family and friendship.
Kathy is survived by her husband James A. Craig of Hockessin and her son Samuel M. Craig (Erika) of Ridley Park, PA, two sisters, Theresa McCool (John) of Wilmington, NC, and Margaret Flowers of Hastings on Hudson, NY, and brothers W. Robert Kwiatkowski of Middletown DE, Michael Kwiatkowski (Janet)of Smyrna, DE, John Kwiatkowski (Mika) of Los Angeles, CA, and William A. Kwiatkowski (Michelle) of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Susan Craig of Arlington, VA, and Caroline Craig of Ridley Park, PA, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Walter A. Kwiatkowski and her mother, Olive M. Brenner.
Please join us in celebrating her extraordinary love of life on Saturday, May 8, at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware. Visitation is from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., followed by a service at 2 p.m. A blessing and interment of her ashes will follow at St. James Episcopal Church Millcreek, 2106 St. James Church Road, Wilmington, DE19808. To view the livestream please click here.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Kathy’s name to establish a memorial fund to support in perpetuity the maintenance and care of the gardens at St. James Church, which Kathy tended so lovingly during her lifetime. Contributions may be sent to St. James Church Millcreek.
