Patricia (Patti) Kirkley

On Friday, July 15, 2022, Patti Kirkley, loving sister, aunt, friend and neighbor passed away too soon at age 63 after a battle with cancer.

Patti was born on May 3, 1959 in Orlando, Florida. After attending Dommerich Elementary, Maitland Junior High, and Winter Park High School, she went on to earn her bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Central Florida.

Patti loved children and spent much of her life sculpting young minds as an educator. She taught elementary grades at Dommerich, Stenstrom, Eastbrook, and Heathrow. She also served as a Technology Facilitator, taught at the UCF Creative Center, and held the role of Media Specialist for many years. She received numerous professional accolades and was nominated Teacher of the Year at Dommerich Elementary and achieved further recognition as a National Board-Certified Teacher.

Though much of her time was spent in the classroom, her true passion was taking care of her beloved labs, Chesapeake, Lexi, Emma, and Chase.

She clung to her faith and knowledge of the promises of Heaven where she would one day be reunited with those she loved who went before her. Patti was a dedicated member of her church and regularly attended mass at St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park.

She was an active member in her community and was always there to provide meals or friendly conversation to her family, neighbors, and friends. Keeping up with Patti, the Queen of Puns, was an increasingly competitive battle within the family, making for lots of laughs at every get-together.

She was very creative and enjoyed scrapbooking, landscaping, and journaling. Patti loved spending her Saturday's perusing garage sales and stocking Cool Breeze Cottage, her eBay store. She was an excellent cook and was well-known for her culinary specialties, including many holiday casseroles and her ever-famous, Christmas Trash.

Preceded in death by father, Earle L. Kirkley; mother, Rose Kirkley; sister, Diana; sister, Elizabeth; and niece, Sarah.

Patti is survived by Debbie Kirkley, Karen Kirkley Conrad (Jack), Don, James (Ashley), Rob Conrad and Diana Dalton; Earle Kirkley III (Robin), Earle IV (Rebecca), Katelyn Knapp (Caleb), Diana Jeffers (Anthony), Doug (Sarah); Robert Kirkley (Cindi), Robbie Kirkley, Rachel Kirkley; Kenneth Kirkley, Ryan Kirkley, Lauren Kirkley; Allen Gast Jr. (Jodi), Bryan Gast (Elizabeth), Kevin Gast; Brendan Best; Great Nephews (12) and Great Nieces (7); Uncle George and Aunt Nancy; Many cousins and friends.

Visitation – Tuesday, August 2, 2022 – 5:00pm-7:00pm at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 N. Orlando Ave. Maitland FL 32751

Funeral Mass – Wednesday, August 3, 2022 – 10:00am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park FL 32789

Burial following the service at Glen Haven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in memory of Patti Kirkley.