Patricia (“Trish”) Virginia Johnson (nee Kleczek), 65, of Palm Harbor, Florida died peacefully just before dawn on December 23, 2023, at the Empath Hospice Care Center in Palm Harbor after a brief illness. She was surrounded by close friends and family over the weeks preceding her death. Trish was born on July 4, 1958, in Arlington, Virginia, to parents Grace Virginia and Chester Joseph Kleczek, both now deceased. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia, graduated from Wakefield High School there, and moved to Palm Harbor, Florida in 1987. She worked in a variety of positions in the Tampa Bay area and retired from Pinellas County’s Animal Services Department.

A Celebration of Trish’s Life took place on May 4th, 2024, in a service at the Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation Center followed by a luncheon at the Ozona Blue restaurant. There were stories, pictures, laughter, tears, and a lot of hugs. Her ashes were scattered in a private setting the following day near Crystal Beach, Florida.

Trish loved Wildman, her soul mate, whom she married in 2002. Together they enjoyed watching grandson Trenton (“TJ”) grow up, viewing sunsets, being on or near the water, cheering for their favorite football teams, going to parties, and listening to good music. Trish loved concerts and saw many of her favorite musicians—BB King, Queen, ZZ Top, the Rolling Stones and others—perform live in their early years. Her favorite songs were BB King’s “The Thrill is Gone” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” which was the song they danced to when she married Wildman.

Trish was devoted to the many cats she adopted over the years. They entertained and sometimes frustrated her, but provided comfort when needed. She collected unique teapots (many of them cats), a tradition started by her maternal grandmother. Her favorite one was Miss Piggy of the Muppets. In addition to her regular collection, Trish had specially-themed teapots for holidays—more than 20 just for Christmas. She also loved hummingbirds, bubble lights at Christmas, and children’s wind-up toys. As a child she visited New York City with her family regularly. As an adult, her Thanksgivings usually started with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Radio City Rockettes’ dance routine was always the highlight.

Trish leaves behind her loving husband, Richard (“Wildman”) O’Neal Johnson of Palm Harbor; two stepdaughters: Lauren Renee Johnson of St. Petersburg and Jennifer Ashley Johnson of Palm Harbor; one grandson, Trenton Clayton Johnson of Palm Harbor; two sisters: Paula Hillery (Ron Novak, spouse) of Falls Church, Virginia and Pamela Kleczek of Arlington, Virginia; two sisters-in-law: Susan Weinfurter (Billy, spouse) of Citrus County, Florida and Ginger Johnson of Palm Harbor, Florida; four nieces and one nephew: Laura Lorenz (Gabe Fuentes, spouse), Lindsay Lorenz, Heidi Hulbert, Kaitlyn Richardson (Dylan, spouse) and “Little Billy” Weinfurter; and two great nieces: Allison Graham (Dylan, spouse) and Ashley Purpura (Cameron, spouse). Trish’s extended family and many close friends, especially Lynn Simpson and Michelle Reinhardt, will also remember her fondly.

The family is forever grateful for the support of the Empath Suncoast Hospice staff and care center who kept Trish comfortable in her final days and for the medical teams who helped her when she needed it most. Additional thanks go out to the many kind people who reached out with calls, cards and meals to help us go on without her.

We will think of Trish whenever we see fireworks—her birthday celebrations always included them because she was born on the Fourth of July. For those who have asked, the family suggests that donations be made to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation or the American Cancer Society.