Patricia Fuller

Patricia “Patti” Tuohy Fuller, 61, Jacksonville, recently of Windermere, Florida passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017. She was born October 28, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York to the late D. Vincent and Peggy Tuohy. After growing up in Brooklyn, she graduated from Boston College, returned home and worked as a buyer for a major department store for a year.

She followed her father to St. John’s University School of Law where she was on the Law Review. Upon receiving her Juris Doctor degree, she pursued a very successful career with a major New York law firm, Kelley, Drye and Warren. Here she participated in numerous high profile litigations including a successful Agent Orange pleading before the United States Supreme Court. She later enjoyed many years of success with the Equitable Life Insurance Company as a litigator. She married the love of her life, Bob Fuller and started her new life as a Navy wife and mother of daughter, Claire and son, Byron in Virginia Beach, VA.  Upon Bob’s retirement from the U.S. Navy and the start of his career as an airline pilot, the family moved to Windermere, Florida where they resided until July of this year.

As her children grew older, Patti reentered the practice of law. In 2010 she came together with her friend and soon to be law partner, Heather Kirson, to found the “Elder Law Center of Kirson and Fuller” in Orlando. As a Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law attorney, Patti found her passion helping her clients as they navigated through the intricate world of Wills, Estates, and Trusts etc. She was a member of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Keenly aware of the issues facing our Veterans, she was the former Chair of the Veterans Benefits Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar.  In addition to her professional achievements, she was very active in Holy Family Parish and School and served on the Central Florida Advisory Board for “Best Buddies” a national organization dedicated to offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment and Leadership Development programs to persons with and without disabilities.

Patti will be remembered for many things. Her love of life and infectious smile touched all with whom she came in contact. She loved to spend time with her family and her friends. Truly a world traveler, she loved to share her trips with many of them. She loved to tell stories about Claire’s great time at the University of Florida, and as a dedicated “Lacrosse Mom” she and Bob were mainstays at Byron’s games while at Lake Highland Prep.  She was the first to volunteer to host holiday dinners that rapidly expanded to close friends as well as family. Her courage and grace in the face of illness will inspire all who knew her for many years to come. Few people will be missed as much as Patti Fuller.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 24 years, Commander Robert B. Fuller Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired), the true lights of her life, daughter Claire M. Fuller and son, Robert Byron Fuller III; Brothers, Captain Matthew W. Tuohy (Susan). U.S. Navy (Retired) and Peter V. Tuohy. Father and Mother in Law, Rear Admiral and Mrs. Robert Byron Fuller, U.S. Navy (Retired); Sisters in Law, Mary Jane Evans (Craig), Dr. Peggy Fuller DVM (Charles Kalb); her two nieces Kathleen Tuohy and Mary Anne Jolly (Patrick), and her two nephews, Christopher Evans and Charles Kalb III. She leaves behind a legion of close friends whose lives were enriched for having her in them. She is predeceased by her nephew, Benjamin Evans.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Matthew’s Church, 1773 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32210 on Saturday, January 28th at 1pm, with Fr. Luke McLaughlin as Celebrant. A reception immediately following will be at The Florida Yacht Club, 5221 Yacht Club Road, Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Best Buddies, 105 E Robinson Road #540, Orlando FL 32839 or https://bestbuddies.org/find-programs/florida/donate-locally/

An additional Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 S Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819 at 8:30 am.