Obituary: Jennie H. Kilmartin

Obituary courtesy of Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home

Jennie H. Kilmartin

September 19, 1922 - January 01, 2021

“Loving aunt”

CHESAPEAKE, VA - Mrs. Jennie Kilmartin passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 after a brief battle with COVID-19.

Jennie was born on September 19, 1922 in Hudson, N.Y., daughter of the late Victor and Helen Patalavicius Ambrose. Jennie's parents eventually bought a dairy farm and had six children. After high school she moved to Waterbury where she trained as a nurse at Waterbury Hospital, and, after graduation, served with the rank of Lieutenant as a naval nurse during WWII. She was discharged in 1946 and then taught nursing at Albany Medical College, NY. While there she married Bill Kilmartin in 1948. They moved to Santa Monica, CA, where she took a job with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health Nursing, and later she earned her B.S. in Nursing at UCLA. In 1968 Jennie worked as Supervisor of the Southeast Washington DC Department of Public Health.

In 1969 she earned her M.A. degree in Education from George Washington University. She retired in 1981 and moved to Connecticut. For the next 8-10 years Jennie became a foster parent for many elementary-aged children. She also became a volunteer at an animal shelter (Cat Haven in Southbury). Jennie enjoyed traveling and going to casinos. She was active in her community and in 2007 donated to the Waterbury Hospital to help renovate the ICU waiting room that was named in her honor. She also has a pew named after her at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. Jennie funded a scholarship at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury where many students have benefited from her generosity. In 1990 she was awarded a Quilt of Valor presented to U.S. Veterans by the National Quilts of Valor Foundation to honor her service during WWII.
Jennie is predeceased by her brother Alger Ambrose, her sister Vitalja Markevich both of Waterbury CT, by her eldest brother Victor Ambrose, Hollowville, NY, a brother J. Wilfred Ambrose of Pflugerville, TX, an infant sister Florence Ambrose, and nephew David Ambrose of Hudson, NY. Among her survivor are eleven nieces and nephews, Peter, Joanne, Diane, Butch, Rosemary, Joseph, Louanne, Victor, Helen, Mary, Theresa, and their families. Three of her nieces followed in her footsteps by also becoming nurses. Jennie will be interred at Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury CT, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the food bank of your choice or feedingamerica.org.

Arrangements: Funeral services and entombment with military honors will be held at the convenience of her family at Calvary Queen of Peace Mausoleum. There are no calling hours. Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury is assisting her family with arrangements.
For more info or to send e-condolences visit: www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com