Cathy Fulkerson

Cathy passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after a brief non-covid related illness. She was born in Kalamazoo, MI on May 30, 1946 the only daughter of John and Dorothea (Wixson) Jenkins. Cathy was the definition of a friend, many of whom she retained since elementary school. She graduated with honors from Kalamazoo Central Class of 1964 and Kalamazoo College Class of 1968 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. The highlight of her time at K College came in September of 1966 when she traveled to France for six months as part of her foreign study program. Her parents met her there and they traveled to England and Wales which was the site of her father's birthplace. They connected with many of his cousins and friends in Wales and it was an experience she recalled many times. She was very involved with her high school classmates and worked on all their class reunions. She was very proud of her class and enjoyed many reunion committee meetings, activities & luncheons. She worked many years at First National Bank after graduation from K College. After leaving First National she worked with The Upjohn Company, mostly at the Farm Office in Richland. She always referred to it as her "dream" job. She loved the "Farm" and the people who worked there. She retired at age 62 after 35 years of dedicated service. Cathy loved to travel to her beloved UP and enjoyed many trips with her husband Bill. She enjoyed retirement immensely and spent much of her time socializing with friends and indulging in her hobbies, of which there were many; quilting, crafting, reading, sewing, & genealogy. One of her proudest accomplishments was tracing the Wixson side of her family back to 1631 and completing a 12 generation Wixson Family History. She cherished her house and watching and feeding the birds, squirrels and chipmunks and decorating for the holidays. She was a cat person thru and thru and adored her cat Sugar. On December 9, 1972 she married William "Bill" Fulkerson and became an instant stepmom to his son Daryl. She was preceded in death by her father, John R. Jenkins; her mother, Dorothea (Wixson) Jenkins; stepson, Daryl; and beloved aunt, Gayle (Wixson) Smelt. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Bill; her cousins, Steve (Cindy) Wixson of Jerome, MI, Brian Harty of Carmel, CA, and Karl (Kathie) Kuss of Commerce Township, MI; sister-in-law, Carol Bailey of Spring Hill, FL; along with many countless friends and associates. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Humane Society. A memorial service will be held 4PM Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. To view Cathy's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com