Josephine Grace Kuk

Grace was born on April 16, 1925 to Vito and Jennie Pace in Cleveland, Ohio. She was raised Roman Catholic and spoke fluent Italian with English being her first language. After High School, she entered the workforce and sometime during the late 1940s Grace met Lawrence J. Kukucka.

They married on June 24, 1950, but only after they shortened Kukucka to Kuk which remains today. Grace became an Army wife and they moved to Fort Ord (Monterey) California, which Grace always spoke of fondly. Shortly after their first child was born, they made the 2,555-mile trip by automobile back to Ohio where Grace and her husband settled down for good.

Grace is survived by her husband, Lawrence Joseph Kuk, Sr. and a sister, Mary Nancy (Stanley, deceased) Wielkiewicz. Grace and Lawrence Kuk went on to have a total of 3 children and eventually 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren all of whom survive. These include, son, Lawrence Joseph Kuk, Jr., daughter, Kathleen Marie (Tom) Sumer, and son, Thomas Victor Kuk. She treasured her children, but what put the twinkle in her eye was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include Jennifer Marie Copeland, Jacqueline Ann Kuk, Sarah Jean (Nick) Sofia and Tommy Matthew (Melissa) Sumer. Great-grandchildren include Addison Margaret Copeland, Isabelle Grace Copeland, Tyler William Sofia, Owen Lawrence Sofia, and Jackson Taylor Sumer. Grace also had many nieces and nephews all of whom enjoyed visits at holiday times during the big family “get-togethers.”

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Vito Pace originally from ‘Bronte, Catania, Sicilia, Italy,’ and Jennie (Favazza) Pace also of Italy who resided in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as a sister, Elizabeth (Joseph) Marotta, and a brother, Joseph Patrick (Joyce) Pace.

Grace worked at different locations during her employment days including Sterling Linder and S. S. Kresge Company but in 1993 she retired from Allen Bradley where she would tell you, she proudly worked on computer boards. After retirement she spent her time as a homemaker. She and her husband would travel, when possible, to their favorite destinations, which were Niagara Falls, Canada, Mackinac Island Grand Hotel near Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Christmas stores in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

One of her favorite sayings was “Cold Hands Warm Heart” She had a deep love for all animals. She was like the squirrel whisperer in her own backyard. They were the fattest squirrels in the world as they were fed Premium English Walnuts. If she wasn’t watching the Cooking Channel, she was watching Animal Planet. This was, of course, only if the Cleveland Indians were not playing. She was hooked on America’s Favorite Pastime especially if the Cleveland Indians were playing in the game. Two of her passions were cooking her favorite Italian dishes and pastries, as well as spending time with her family. Sunday dinners will always be remembered fondly for her fabulous Chicken Soup with Acini di pepe pasta and chicken breaded with Progresso breadcrumbs, Italian Style. That is, of course, if it was not New Year’s Day because Grace would say, if you ate chicken on New Year’s Day you would “scratch around” for good fortune in the coming year. Salad always had Wishbone Robusto Italian dressing on it. Sometimes, she might just serve a simple cheese sandwich, but no matter what, she always made it special, and the visit was always wonderful and cherished. She was at her best when she was feeding her family and that made her so happy. I’m certain all the family can still hear her saying in their minds, “Can I get you something to eat?” EVERY meal looked like Thanksgiving on the dining room table. She has passed that tradition down directly to her children and grandchildren.

Another passion was looking at old photos and viewing them with her children and grandchildren. She would never be shy and would point out everyone in the photo. Of course, sometimes she would flip them over and read the back to review the contents of the photo since she famously wrote a paragraph on the back of most photos years ago. Although she would consider herself not very tech-savvy, she loved her Grandpad and would so enjoy reviewing new photos especially from her grandchildren. She also liked using her earbuds to talk to and listen to family.

As you were saying your goodbyes after your visit, Grace was always trying to give things away in case you needed something. This is just another example of her impact on the lives of her family as she has passed this trait down to her children and grandchildren alike. Grace was the ultimate giver. She gave to her children, her grandchildren, to squirrels, to deer — to everyone and everything. Whether she was sharing her pack of gum with the grandchildren, (even though it was Freedent since that’s what she chewed so it wouldn’t stick to her partials) or giving warmth in those loving and tightest of hugs, she never missed an opportunity to say, “I Love You” and tell you how beautiful you are inside and out. She kissed you with her whole face as you were on your way home to leave you with that everlasting, loving feeling.

She was famous for that sweet, sweet smile and that infectious laugh that made it impossible not to laugh with her. Her grandchildren would do things just to get her to laugh — just to hear that laugh. It was truly a feel-good moment for them and for her. It was hearty, honest, kind, and real… and boy was it contagious. That laugh will be ingrained into the minds of everyone who knew her.

Grace would always “knock on wood” to ward off bad luck, but to accomplish this she would always knock on her own head and give a chuckle. I dare say she passed this trait down as well.

She loved Perry Como and ‘Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass’. Her favorite Christmas music was ‘Ray Conniff and the Ray Conniff Singers,’ ‘Mitch Miller and the Gang’ and of course Perry Como and Herb Albert. She used to get the biggest kick out of the little Italian mouse on the Ed Sullivan Show, Topo Gigio.

We will all miss those visits to Mayfield Village, to step into that back door, into the kitchen and around through the dining room on into the living room where she sat to the right as you would walk in. To see her face light up at your presence, her wonderful, full smile as she would say, “Oh boy, I’m so happy to see you, I Love You, Oh, God Bless You Honey.”

We all love you and we will miss you very much. From the bottom of the hearts of your husband, your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren, Grace, rest in peace. Your amazingly, wonderful, laugh now echoes in the Halls of Heaven and will forever echo in our hearts.