Patricia Jane Pulju

Patricia ("Patty") Jane Pulju, born January 6, 1936 in Minto, North Dakota to George and Clara Coffey, was born to eternal life on April 26, 2019. Patty was the mother of 10 children and a dedicated church musician, pianist, and leader. She married her beloved husband, Frank, on December 26, 1957. Patty received her Bachelor of Music degree from MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis and her Master of Liturgical Music degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Patty and Frank started their family in Minnesota, where their first 7 children were born. They moved to Fairfax, Virginia in 1970, where they had 3 more children. She worked at St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax for over 25 years, serving as Director of Music and Liturgy the majority of those years. Patty also taught piano lessons for most of her life. After retirement, she directed choirs at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Most recently, Patty was a choir director and piano accompanist at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. She was also the director of her condominium community's choir, the Montebello Music Club.

Patty was the proud mother of 10 and cherished her time with family. She is survived by her sister Judy; brother Mick; children Peggy, Tom, Jack, Kay, Elizabeth, Tim, Dan, Anne, and Susie; 16 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Frank (2016) and daughter Jennie (2018). She has passed on a legacy of music and love to the many she has encountered throughout the years.