Audrey J. Kalafatich
Dr. Audrey J. Kalafatich died October 17th, 2016, at age 82. Current resident of Hannibal, MO. Dr. Kalafatich was a pediatric nurse for 40 years at various universities across the country. She served as Clinical Nurse Specialist for Adolescent Patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She gave many seminars and conferences, including a conference at UMC to celebrate The Year of the Child, with the famed Benjamin Spock. She was a fellow with the American Academy of Nursing and former editor of the Academy’s Journal. She was a member of the Society of Adolescent Medicine, the Children’s Hospital Association and a former editor of the ACCH Journal. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau nursing society, and was the author of three books about her clinical specialty. One book, entitled “Approaches to the Care of Adolescents,” was honored as a book of the year by the American Journal of Nursing. She was a contributor to several other books and had articles published in professional journals. A native of St. Louis, she graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing and was awarded a scholarship to St. Louis University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She graduated from Boston University with a Master of Science in Teaching Maternal and Child Nursing. She graduated with a Doctorate from University of Sarasota. She was an avid Cardinals fan!
She is survived by Tim Dempsey Jr. (nephew) and his daughters Angela Lunceford, her husband Dustin, their children Kenzie and Kali and by Amanda Lynea Dempsey and her daughter Juniper, by Colleen Dempsey Dotson (niece) and her husband Den, and by Kate Dempsey Sublette (niece), her husband Todd, and their children Tanner, Erin, and Benjamin. Dr. Kalafatich’s sister, Betty Dempsey, preceded her in death. Her body was donated to SLU. A Celebration of life will be at Helen Fitzgerald’s in Kirkwood, November 20th, from 1-3:30pm. In lieu of flowers or plants, please make a donation in Audrey’s honor to the Ollie Hinkle Heart foundation. There will also be donation envelopes for the foundation at Audrey’s celebration of life.
Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation
583 Hollywood Place
Webster Groves, MO 63119
www.olliehinkleheartfoundation.com
Audrey has been a friend since November 2007. I regret not knowing her sooner in our lives. I visited Audrey monthly at Kirkwood House to assist her with routine financial transactions. Our conversations usually took us to discussing children–her great niece’s and nephew’s and my grandchildren or my recent travels. We sometimes discussed her successful career as a nurse, an educator and author.
However we always discussed the CARDINAL’S and their ups and downs. She knew and did everything a fan should know and do to be referred to as AVID!!
I have missed our monthly visits since her move to Hannibal this last April, but I will always have fond memories of her loyalty to the Cardinals, her wit and her generous heart.