Katherine Theresa Jonilonis

JONILONIS KATHERINE THERESA Katherine Theresa Jonilonis passed away August 18, 2003. She was born on June 2, 1913 in Yugoslavia, the first of five children born to George and Eva Klein. The family immigrated to America when Kate was 13 months old, settling in Chicago, Ill., where brothers Michael, Frank and Peter, and sister Mary were born. Kate is pre-deceased by her parents, brothers Mike and Frank and sister Mary. Her brother Pete of Los Angeles survives. In 1933, Kate married Antone Jonilonis and together they raised two fine sons, George and Richard. They retired to San Diego in 1964 to be close to their sons who had both ``gone West ' ' . While retired, they stayed active by managing apartments, making lots of friends, and putting down new roots. They were instrumental in the formation of the Lithuania Club of San Diego which originally met in Balboa Park at The House of Pacific Relations. Kate loved to dance, get together with friends and family and always had a welcome for everyone. She was an extraordinary Grandma, who was often to be found playing games on the floor with the grand-kids. Her husband Tony passed away in 1995 and she missed him always. She is survived by her sons and their wives, George and Mary, Richard and Judy; grandchildren, Rob Fisher, Jeff and Beth Jonilonis, Julie and Jose Vazquez, Eric Jonilonis, Jason and Cassandra Jonilonis. Great-grandchildren are Garett, Kylie, Tea ' , and Camryn Jonilonis, and Kennedy Vazquez. Survivors also include her sister-in-law Georgette Klein of Oregon, brother-in-law Charles Alan of San Diego, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also loved and will be long remembered by former daughter-in-law, Madeleine. The family wishes to acknowledge the many wonderful people at Lemon Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center who cared for Kate so lovingly the last 5 years. Memorial services Wednesday, August 27, 1:30 p.m. at the Gazebo in Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego.