Kathleen Eleanor Antongiovanni

Kathleen Eleanor Antongiovanni, 75 of Bakersfield, passed peacefully at HER BEACH (Ventura, CA) surrounded by her loving family on Saturday January 30, 2021.  She was born in Philadelphia, PA, September 9, 1945 to John and Kitty Devine.  Kathleen graduated from St. Timothy Elementary (where she was a granny style basketball free throw champion), St. Mary’s High School, and attended Gwynedd Mercy University before becoming a flight attendant for United Airlines.  She married J. Stanley Antongiovanni on January 21, 1967, and together they raised their ten children in Bakersfield.  Kathleen dedicated countless volunteer hours to St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis School and Garces Memorial High School.  She will be remembered for her unwavering Catholic faith and giving her time and financial support to the Church and Catholic education.  One of Kathleen’s greatest joys in life was raising her children as evident in the infinite hours spent chauffeuring the family in the “Getter” mobile to and from sporting events, 4H shows, Cub Scouts and music lessons.  She learned how to cook from her Italian in-laws and enjoyed hosting Sunday family dinners, Garces Football Team pre-game meals, and a home cooked dinner seven days a week.  She did enjoy her one Saturday a month, cooking holiday, when Stan would treat the family to “Uncle Al’s” home cooking at the Pyrenees Cafe.  Kathleen cherished the time shared with her “Ladies Luncheon” group, numerous cruises with friends celebrating anniversaries, and vacations with her “adopted” son, Msgr. Craig Harrison.  She relished the time spent with her Garces and Denver University soccer families cheering in the stands.  In the month of August you could always find Nonna on the beach in Ventura enjoying the sunset, scotch in hand, family and friends by her side, especially Lizann and Kathy Fitz. 

She is survived by nine children and their spouses: Marcie (Michael) Soper of Bakersfield, Tina (David) Lipscomb of Los Altos, John of Ventura, Kevin (Tess) of Bakersfield, Tim (Cheyanne) of Bakersfield, A.J. (Suzie) of Bakersfield, Matt (Breeyan) of South Bend, Katie (Jeff) Hooker of Denver, and Dominic (Julie) of Bakersfield. She is also survived by twenty-seven grandchildren: Lisa (Javier) Soegaard, Luigi, Katherine, John, and Molly Soper; Sarah and Elizabeth Lipscomb; Anna Antongiovanni; Natalina, Gino and Olivia Antongiovanni; Brandon and Cianna Antongiovanni; Jeannette, A.P., and Michelle Antongiovanni; Matthew, Colin, Joseph, and Charlie Antongiovanni; Aubrey, Berkley, and Caleb Hooker; Luca, Nico, Peter, and Santino Antongiovanni and great-grandchildren: Magdalena and Isla Kathleen Soegaard. Also surviving Kathleen are her brothers-in-law Dick McCarthy and Frank Brittingham and numerous East Coast nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Kitty Devine, husband Stan and son Peter Anthony Antongiovanni, sisters Pat McCarthy and Nancy Brittingham.
The community is invited to participate in a virtual zoom Rosary at 4:30pm on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 followed by a viewing from 5:30-7:30pm at Doughty-Calhoun-O’Meara, 1100 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield (contact a family member for log in information).  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Thursday, February 11, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 900 H Street with burial to follow at Union Cemetery.  We ask that all take the necessary precautions to protect your health and the health of those in attendance by wearing masks and following social distance guidelines.  To all Kathleen’s caregivers in both Bakersfield and Ventura, especially Carrie Freeman, the family says THANK YOU for your love, support, and care of Mom.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Peter Anthony Antongiovanni Catholic Education Fund, which offers tuition assistance to Catholic families at local Catholic Schools (checks payable to Kern Community Foundation 3300 Truxtun Ave. Suite 220, Bakersfield, 93301) or a Catholic School or your choice.