Our mother, Kathleen Samosky Cocchiaro passed away peacefully at her home in St Johns, Florida on Saturday May 1st 2021 with her supportive and loving family by her side. Kathleen was born September 20th, 1969 in New Haven, Connecticut to Carol Robertson. She became the wife of Arthur V. Cocchiaro, Jr on May 17, 1991 and has 3 children; Victoria Kathleen Cocchiaro, Jake Arthur Cocchiaro and Hailey Cocchiaro. Kathleen also leaves behind her mother and her in-laws, Arthur V. and Gloria Cocchiaro; predeceased Russell and Irene Robertson and Rose Piscitelli; Sister-in-law to Lisa Cocchiaro (John) Vetro. She also leaves behind many loving friends and co-workers.
Kathy was a proud graduate of North Haven High School, voted Most Cheerful of her class and that is how she truly lived her life. Always had a smile and a kind word for anyone, helping everyone at any time. After High School graduation in 1987, she started working at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut in North Haven where she worked her way up, as a Data Analyst, Statistical Analyst, and Senior Data Mining Analyst learning various computer systems, including Oracle and SAS programming. From there, she changed careers to that of Manager of Admin Support over Endowment at Choate Rosemary Hall. Then, in 2012 she returned to the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut where she was a Senior Business Information Analyst within Underwriting.
Kathy met her husband Art in 1985 and he has been by her side since that day he asked her out. They moved their family to St Johns, Florida in 2014 where they began their dream of living in Florida. Her kids looked to Kathy as a ROCKSTAR in more ways than one. It was not just because she was the strongest, most courageous woman fighting Breast Cancer and Metastatic breast cancer right after moving to Florida; or because she continued working full time and raising her family during treatment; or because she designed and filled a new home in between all of this; or because she continued to remain a great daughter and friend during all of her treatment; but because she presented herself as a ROCKSTAR in EVERYTHING she did! She showed us her talents when she would jam out to her 80’s hair metal bands while dancing in the kitchen or driving in the car. Kathy would always plan a concert or a day trip or something like a mini golf game with the family, where even on the green she would quote one of her famous sayings “so close but yet so far”. But her favorite place was the beach. Laying under the big umbrella soaking up all the fun in the sun. Kathy was an inspiration because she could always live in the present and enjoy every moment; cataloging these precious times getting everyone to “take a picture” at every dinner, show, or even a drive in the car! Of course, smiling with her big beautiful smile. She showed constant courage and grace amid fear of this horrible disease. But even at her worst, she put others before herself. And as her final battle arose, she showed no fear, no bitterness, no self –pity; only courage and strength which she instilled in her family; insisting no one be sad, because she is now at peace.
Kathleen was a great wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and “sister” to a great and supportive group of girlfriends. Her friends of over 30 years stood by her until her last moments, and the family would like to thank them for their love and devotion. Thank you to the staff of Mayo Clinic for all of their love and support throughout the years of caring for Kathy. A special thank you to Annetta DePino, her very best friend, for supporting our family during this tough time. And most of all, thank you to our dad and her soulmate, Art for remaining at her side until she took her last breath. We love you and even though our family will never be able to fill the space she left behind, we know that our family will continue because of your love for one another.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Christian Mass on Saturday, May 22nd at 10:30 a.m. at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church at 1718 State Road 13, North St. Johns, Florida 32259 and in Connecticut at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church which will be planned later in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Kathy’s name @ cancer.org/involved/donate. Her loving and giving spirit would want other people to benefit from the help and research the American Cancer Society can provide.
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