Paulette Koncelik

Paulette Koncelik, 76, passed away peacefully in her home in Fort Worth, Texas on Wednesday, June 1, 2015.

Paulette was born on June 29, 1939 to Frederic and Amelia (Gomes) Santos in Honolulu, Oahu part of the Territory of Hawaii. She was baptized at St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church on August 15, 1939.

Paulette spent her youth in Hawaii amongst extended family and many friends. After completing her primary and secondary education at Sacred Hearts Academy in Hawaii, she attended the University of San Diego in San Diego, California. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy and Education. She continued her education and graduated with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

After obtaining her master’s degree, she moved to San Francisco and began her lifelong career of being a social worker. During her career she was awarded many awards and certificates for her efforts.

Paulette was particularly proud of her time with Wichita General Hospital in Wichita Falls, Tx. She was the Director of Social Services. At this same time she co-founded the Wichita Cancer League and was in private practice as a licensed Professional Counselor.

During her career she started her family and was able to travel and see a great portion of the world. After her retirement from working, she volunteered with St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, enjoyed theatre and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed exposing her grandchildren to musical theatre and symphonic music.

Paulette was very proud of her family and is survived be her children, Joey Koncelik (Wichita Falls); Joelle Silva (Arlington), Bo Trainor (Fort Worth); sons-in-law Adrian Silva and Dennis Yslas; grandchildren Megan Tucker and Mason Maltos; and a host of loving friends.

Being a devout Catholic and a social worker, she was particularly fond of Matthew 25:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Paulette’s accomplishments are many, her life well lived, her legacy strong, she is loved and will be greatly missed.