September 14, 1950 – January 11, 2024
Mary Beth “Irish” Kucka, nee Abel, age 73, of Dyer, IN, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024. She is survived by, her loving husband, George S. Kucka. Her adoring children, Megan (Garry) Houghton, George M. (Shengru) Kucka, Kathryn (fiancé Ethan Paves) Beaton, and Erin (Mike) Rondinella. Her precious grandchildren, Garrison Houghton, Davis Rondinella and Arlo Paves. Her grateful siblings, Thomas (Alix) Abel, James (Sharon) Abel, David (Beverly) Abel, and John (Lauren) Abel. Preceded in death by her generous parents, Robert & Mary E. Abel.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 16, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer. A prayer service is set for Wednesday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home with a Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 Joliet Street, Dyer. Fr. Ted Mauch will be presiding. Memorial contributions may be given to Purdue for Life Foundation, P.O. Box 77240, Detroit, MI 48227. (www.purdueforlife.org/give/ways-to-give).
Who was Mary Beth? She was incredibly smart. At Anderson (IN) High School, she was salutatorian. She achieved high honors in the classroom at Purdue where she majored in Spanish and minored in French, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Beyond the classroom, she loved to challenge herself with expert level sudoku puzzles, which she often found easy! Mary Beth was also an avid sports fan, naming Purdue her #1 team. After, of course, any team her children were playing on. Mary Beth loved baking for her family. Did you know her Mom’s recipe for Apple Crumble was her favorite thing to bake? Mary Beth was a teacher. Her tenure as the Dean of Foreign Languages at Andrean High School was over 20 years. Mary Beth had an incredible sense of humor and always seemed to see the humor in any situation. But above all, Mary Beth’s pride and passion was her family, whom she loved dearly, and who will miss her beyond words.
