Alice Jean Bulinski, age 95, died peacefully on January 11, 2018 at home in Culver City, CA. She was born June 9, 1922, in Biloxi, MS. Jean was the loving daughter of William and Alice Jean (Price) Tubre and second of the three Tubre children. Her father passed away at the age of 23 and her mother remarried to John (Johan) Gerkens. Her mother and step-father blessed Jean with one brother and eight more sisters.
Alice Jean attended Biloxi High School and enjoyed performing as a drum majorette. After graduation she attended secretary school and worked as a secretary. At the tender age of 21 she met a young soldier (Army-Airforce), Eugene C. Bulinski, at a USO dance. They fell in love and after Jean embraced the Catholic, they married April 19, 1944. “Jean and Gene”, as family and friends called them, loved to dance and did so throughout most of their 62 years of marriage.
After the birth of their first child (Diana), Jean and Gene moved from Biloxi, MS to Chicago, IL, and into a six flat owned by Gene’s parents. A second child (Valerie) was born and soon after they purchased a home in Elmwood Park; three more children followed (Alice, Raymond, and Brian).
Jean was a loving mother of her five children and had an outgoing and friendly personality. She often volunteered to help with school and church activities and was well liked and respected in the community. Jean worked part-time as a real estate agent and later as a store detective which she enjoyed. She was a devout Catholic and raised her children in the faith. Jean’s love for God and how she cared for others set a beautiful example for her growing children.
Jean and Gene moved to Roswell, Georgia in 1980. Upon Gene’s retirement, they moved back to Jean’s hometown and were able to share their days with family and friends in Biloxi. When Gene passed away, Jean, being an adventurous and independent soul moved out to CA with her son. Being A Biloxi gal, Jean always missed her home and her brother and sisters. She will finally return to her beloved home and be laid to rest on January 29, 2018 next to her husband Gene at the National Biloxi Cemetery.
Alice Jean Bulinski is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene C. Bulinski; mother and father, William Tubre and Alice Jean (Tubre) Gerkens; brother, Robert Gaylord Tubre; infant brother, John Gerkens, Jr.; her sisters, Mary Louise Kopp, John Adele Osley, Anna Sophia Welch, and Matilda (Tillie) Mallett.
Alice Jean is survived by her five children, Diana Smuda, Valerie Bulinski, Alice Smoot (Todd), Raymond Bulinski, and Brian Ibrahim Bulinski (Naima); grandchildren, Michael Peter Smuda, Jake Bulinski, Alex Bulinski, Kasey Bulinski (Wendy Bulinski), R. Craig Smoot, Mary Alice Smoot, Dunya Dost, Iman Dost, Isra Bulinski, Azaan Bulinski; great grandchildren, Dominic Bulinski, Sophi Jean Delaplane; and sisters, Alma Gerkens Campbell, Sarah Gerkens Gingles (Sally), Harriet Gerkens Seymour, and Martha Gerkens Dartez.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the outpouring support from Jean’s sisters, extended family and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville beginning at 12 PM on Monday, January 29, 2018 with visitation occurring one hour prior to service. Interment will immediately follow the mass at the Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.