Kathie Kocon, 71, of Portsmouth, R.I., passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. She was the wife of her loving husband, Richard W. Kocon, to whom she was married for 48 years. 

Kathie, a daughter of the late Harold and Kathleen (Corcoran) Burtt, was a dedicated teacher for 34 years within the Bellingham School System while residing in Franklin, Mass. Later, she and her family moved to Portsmouth, R.I., where she and her husband continued to reside during the summer while wintering in Ft. Myers, Fla.

Kathie was a member of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth, R.I. and of St. Columbkille Church in Ft. Myers, Fla. She supported and was actively involved in each of these parishes’ community programs. Kathie was a very sharing person and very humble about her donations to several charities close to her heart. Her caring spirit inspired her to donate much of her personal time to various charitable and community organizations. 

Kathie sponsored children for over 40 years through the Save the Children Program, staffed the St. Barnabas Food Kitchen and Annual Picnic, was a member of the Portsmouth Garden Club, volunteered her talent and expertise at the Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff, Newport R.I. She was also an integral part of the Garden Cove Residence Association and staffed the St. Columbkille Church Thrift Store in Fort Myers, Fla., donated to and served as a volunteer for the Michael’s Fund Annual Golf Tournament and was a lifelong supporter of Toys for Tots.

In addition to her husband, Kathie is survived by her beloved daughters Sarah Elizabeth Roderiques and her husband Jason of Tiverton, R.I. and Anna Jane Kocon and her husband Bradley Fesmire of Portsmouth, R.I.; her cherished grandchildren, Joshua and Sophia Roderiques of Tiverton, R.I.; brother John Burtt of Whitman, Mass., sister Mary Pat Burtt-Henderson and her husband David of Whitman, Mass.; two nephews, Philip Burtt-Henderson of San Diego, Calif. and Patrick Burtt-Henderson of Brockton, Mass.; and a niece, Lily Burtt-Henderson. Kathie is predeceased by her twin sons at their birth (1977), William Harold and Jeremy Burtt Kocon, and her brother, Charles Burtt. She also leaves extended family and many friends in R.I., Massachusetts and Florida.

Calling hours are Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, R.I. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, R.I. Interment to follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathie’s memory may be sent to Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway E, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 or online at www.savethechildren.org.

Online tribute at www.memorialfuneralhome.com.