Obituary of Cathleen Schweikert

Part of the Greatest Generation of Irish Descent Cathleen was born into a large Irish Catholic family in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Claire Cecelia Bradly and James J. Woulfe. She was the last of her three siblings who predeceased her in death: Mary Johanna Woulfe Galliani of Daly City, Robert H. Woulfe of Los Altos, and James B. Woulfe of Danville. In St. Paul Cathleen attended Nativity Elementary School, St. Joseph's Academy High School, and St. Catherine's College. She enlisted in the Navy, and joined the Navy WAVES with the outbreak of WWII. Her service in WWII involved the rehabilitation of soldiers at Mare Island in San Francisco, where soldiers returned after combat. Cathleen worked on 5th Ave New York in the late 40's, and met her future husband, Albert Schweikert there. They were married in the winter of 1951. They lived first in New York, then travelled west to San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and eventually settled in Los Altos, California where they raised four children. Cathleen and Albert taught their children above all the importance of family, and the family evening meal spent together around the table was sacred. Regardless of day or mood, they sat down together to share a meal and connect with each other. Cathleen and Albert taught their children about their Catholic faith, by setting an example, and however imperfect their faith may seem, it was a faith worth living each and every day. Cathleen and Albert's four children were all very close to one another, enjoying many family gatherings, evenings out, and BBQ's. Albert died in 1987 of complications due to a stroke. Two of her best girlfriends of 30+ years were Margeurite Meade and Marge Hatfield, of Los Altos and San Jose. They shared many memories and slumber parties well into their 80's. Cathleen's favorite things in life were her above all her family, setting a beautiful table, classical music, her Catholic faith, John and Jackie Kennedy, Barbara Streisand, fashion, reading the New York Times newspaper cover to cover, and the beach. Cathleen will be remembered for her loving, caring and generous nature. She is survived by her loving daughter Patricia of San Jose (husband David, children Evan and Olivia), and by her loving son Paul, of Underhill, Vermont (wife Edith, daughter Emilie). She is predeceased in death by her two sons, Matthew and Charles. She is survived by her grandson Daniel Schweikert, and family of Los Gatos; granddaughter Anna Schweikert and family of Soquel, Ca. Also survived by sister-in-law Julie Woulfe (James B. Woulfe of Danville), and many other loving family members. Our deepest thanks to the Staff at Cedar Crest Skilled Nursing in Sunnyvale, Ca, particularly Stacey, Jonel, Mel and Joseph, for their excellent care. All the Staff at Cedar Crest were remarkable in their loving and caring manner with our Mom in her final days. We also thank Pathways Hospice for their good care. Funeral Mass is Monday December 16, 2011 at 1:00pm at St Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos, Ca. Internment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery is private. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.




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