Kathleen Bethel Cuccio

Kathleen Bethel (Sweetman) Cuccio passed away on September 24, 2024, in Racine, surrounded by loved ones. She was 91. Kathy's life story was centered around family, beginning with Joe Cuccio, the love of her life. They first met on the Sixth Street bridge in Racine when she was a teenager. Kathy loved to recall their encounter, where Joe, a friend of a friend, introduced himself dressed in a striking blue coat. She would often say, "He was the most handsome man I ever saw." Kathy and Joe wed at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine on June 27, 1952. Over the next nine years, they welcomed four children–Joe, Joleen, Jon, and Joan. The couple's love for family extended beyond their home in Racine. They began spending time in northern Wisconsin, eventually acquiring a small cabin that became the heart of family life for decades. While Joe relished life outdoors, Kathy treasured their time together exploring new places. She particularly cherished their travels to Alaska, Ireland, and Scotland. As the matriarch of a growing family, Kathy doted on her grandchildren–and later, her great-grandchildren. She reveled in holidays and birthdays, seizing every opportunity to gather everyone for a meal. By every measure that mattered to her, her life was full and vibrant. Her 57-year marriage to Joe, until his passing in 2009, was a testament to their enduring bond. In her final moments, her family played the couple’s love songs to comfort her: during the chorus of “On a Slow Boat to China,” Kathy took her last breath. Kathy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph Cuccio; her parents, George and Bethel (Pottinger) Sweetman; her three brothers and their wives: James (Arlene) Sweetman, Thomas (Cora) Sweetman, and Jack (Rita) Sweetman; and her nephews and niece, Thomas Sweetman, Ricky Cuccio, and Erin (Sweetman) Kovach. She is survived by her children: Joe (Mary Ann) Cuccio, Joleen (Jim) Carlson, Jon (Sue) Cuccio, and Joan (Kevin) Watson; her grandchildren: Courtney (Matt Baker) Carlson, Nicole (Brett) Hauch, Lauren (Chris) Konicek, Andrew DeGroot, Jacob (Zorica) DeGroot, Gina Cuccio, and Jessica Watson; and her great-grandchildren: Jack and Nolan Hauch, Charlie and Eli Konicek, Jazziah and Serenity Watson, Siena Baker, and Ema DeGroot. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Richard (LoEtta) Cuccio, sister-in-law Margaret Cuccio, and their families. A loving circle of extended family and dear friends will miss her dearly. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1, from 3-5 p.m., at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, with a funeral service immediately following. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Monica’s Senior Living for their care and compassion. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 West Sixth Street, Racine, WI 53405; Pedal for Alzheimer’s, 714 S Gay St #200, Knoxville, TN 37902; or St. Monica’s, 3920 N Green Bay Rd, Racine, WI 53404.

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Kathleen Bethel Cuccio

August 22, 1933 - September 24, 2024