Mary Kathleen Jolly

Mary Kathleen Fuller “Kate” Jolly, private investigator and human resources director, passed away peacefully in her home on the evening of November 22 after a brief illness, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born on November 6, 1951, in San Francisco. She was the first of three children of James and Mary Fuller. Kate grew up in South San Francisco and graduated from El Camino High School. She graduated Skyline College with an associate degree and received her bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State College. She went on to earn a teaching credential. She taught 2nd grade as a substitute teacher. In 1976 she met her future husband, Patrick Jolly, following a Columbus Day parade. They fell in love immediately, and both knew by the end of the evening that they would spend their lives together. They married the next year. Kate worked in administration, eventually becoming a human resources specialist. She devoted her professional life to helping others and was beloved by her fellow workers. She was HR Director for the Vintage Inn and BASS Tickets/Tickets.com. She then partnered with Neville Guard to form Employers Advantage. They worked together until her retirement in 2020, one week before COVID hit. During this last period of employment, she became certified through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as a Senior Human Resources Professional, and went on to obtain her private investigators license, enabling her to conduct official investigations for clients. Kate and Pat traveled extensively throughout the US, visiting Hawaii frequently and enjoying visits to England, Scotland, Ireland (her ancestral home), France and Italy. She loved sightseeing and dining out. Kate was an extensive planner, known for her flip charts, excel spreadsheets and copious notetaking. In 2019 she decided to add to her travels by purchasing a recreational vehicle, a 38’ travel trailer, and took great joy in trips including the Grand Canyon and up and down California. Kate was immensely gifted at sewing and knitting. She made dozens of beautiful quilts and countless knitted sweaters, hats, socks, scarves and blankets. She delighted in making gifts for those she loved. She learned to make kilts from the master kilt maker Elsie Stuehmeyer. Kate was well known in the Celtic community, attending the Scottish Games for decades. She made friends in piping and fiddling circles and was learning to play the fiddle as a member of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers. Kate was an accomplished cook and event planner. Prior to COVID she planned and presented an annual formal holiday dinner party for family and friends. Typically, her dinners were 8-9 courses, all of which she prepared. She loved decorating, and delighted in filling her home with huge Christmas displays. Kate leaves behind her husband Pat, brother Jim and his wife Susan, sister Nancy and her husband Mark, brother in law Mike, Aunt Lois Wells and many cousins and nieces and nephews. She was adored by all who knew her and leaves a tremendous void. Viewing will be held on December 4, 2023 beginning at 10am, with services at 1pm with a reception to follow at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Malama na Honu, a nonprofit group in Hawaii dedicated to protecting sea turtles, or to the Solano County Food Bank.

Mary Kathleen Jolly

November 6, 1951 - November 22, 2023