Obituary of Kathleen Barbara Spizziri

Kathleen Barbara Spizziri, age 97, of Washington Township, NJ, formerly of Wyckoff, NJ, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024, at the Hunterdon Medical Center. She was born in February 1927, in Floral Park, NY. Kathleen was the daughter of the late Andrew Conrad Goess and the late Kathryn (née Barthel) Goess. 

In high school, Kathleen was an editor on the school newspaper. She then went on to study English literature at St. Joseph's College for Women in New York City (now St. Joseph’s University) and was graduated in the Class of 1948.

Before her marriage, Kathleen had a career as an editorial assistant for the progressive Catholic magazine Jubilee in New York City. While there, she came into contact with some of the Catholic thinkers and community members that she still remembered in her final years. She enjoyed her life as a bachelor girl in the city. At one point she shared an office with a friend who worked for an entertainment-industry agent. Whenever no one else was in the office, they played some of the brand-new records that had been sent in to the agent and danced.

She would marry the late Dr. Louis Joseph Spizziri on March 2, 1957. The couple would move to Bergen County, NJ, where they would raise their three daughters, Paula, Martha, and Laura. After the birth of their first daughter, she stayed at home to raise her children. Her daughters and grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Maybe because she grew up on Long Island, Kathleen had a love of the ocean and enjoyed sailing and being at the beach. After the death of her husband, she rented a series of beach houses in Westerly, RI, for the family to enjoy.  She was a passionate reader, especially of mystery stories, and also enjoyed doing the New York Times crossword puzzle; eating out with family, and friends; traveling; music (favorites included Ella Fitzgerald, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Sarah Vaughan); and watching movies and TV. 

Kathleen always kept her sense of humor, even in the most trying times. She was also a good listener, and many people, both within her family and without, were the beneficiaries of her empathy and calming presence. She was concerned with social issues and made sure to set aside money each month to donate to a variety of charities and causes. Her compassion served as an example to her children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Kathleen is survived by her three daughters Paula, Martha, and Laura; grandchildren Charlotte and Andrew; brother-in-law Frank Spizziri and wife Gloria and their children and grandchildren; and brother-in-law John and wife Alex and their children and grandchildren. Kathleen was predeceased by her beloved husband Louis in 1996 and her brother Robert Goess in 2009.

Family and friends are invited to gather with Kathleen's family on Saturday, May 4, 2024, beginning at 10:00AM and lasting until 12:00PM at the Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ, 08809. Catholic prayer service and words of remembrance will begin at 12:00PM in the funeral home. To share memories with the family, please visit www.martinfh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen's name may be made to Bread for the World (Please Click Here to Donate) or The National Catholic Broadcasting Council (Please Click Here to Donate).