Kathleen T. Ricci (O'Connor) RN of Lincoln, RI recently passed away, peacefully, after a remarkable 30 month valiant battle against an incurable insidious cancer called Stage 4 Glioblastoma.
Kathy was born on September 2, 1946 in Springfield, MA to Michael and Agnes (Dunn) O’Connor.
Kathy leaves behind her loving husband of 49 years and 10 months, Judge Hugo L. Ricci, Jr.(ret), her sister Mary Patrice O’Connor of Lowell, MA and her brother-in-law Dennis H. Ricci, Esq. and his wife Sandra of Cranston, RI.
Kathy was predeceased by her cherished sisters; Ann O’Connor and Elizabeth O’Connor both of Arlington, MA. Kathy received her registered nursing degree in 1967 from the Catherine Laboure School of Nursing in Boston, MA. Kathy’s nursing career began immediately at Symmes Hospital in Arlington, MA on the Medical/Surgical Floor where she rose to Assistant Head Nurse within one year. In 1968 Kathy moved to Providence, RI and began work at the Miriam Hospital, again on the Medical/Surgical Floor, where she rose to the position of Assistant Head Nurse.
In 1973 Kathy married Hugo who was in law school in Springfield, MA, and both took up residence there. Kathy then began work at the Wesson Memorial Hospital in Springfield, again on the Medical/Surgical Floor where she immediately became Team Leader. After her husband’s law school graduation in 1974, they moved back to RI. From 1974-1995 Kathy worked at the Roger Williams General Hospital in Providence, RI. For her first 2 years there Kathy worked in an oncology, clinical investigative and endocrine unit. Thereafter, Kathy transferred to the hospital’s Ambulatory Care Department, working in various specialty practices. Over time Kathy’s main concentration became dermatology. In 1996 Kathy moved with the Dermatology Unit at Roger Williams to Rhode Island Hospital where until 2001 she would be responsible for the supervision of the nursing personnel and management of the clinical practices. She retired thereafter.
Kathy was proud to be a member of the Oncology Nursing Society of RI and the Dermatology Nurses Association. In 1980 Kathy had the honor and distinction of being a gubernatorial appointee to a full term on the RI Board of Nursing License and Discipline. Also professionally, Kathy extensively researched and contributed to the highly regarded treatise entitled “Monitoring for Major Side Effects of Systemic Drugs in Dermatology “, published in the August 1996 issue of the Journal of Dermatology Nursing.
Kathy’s community service included teaching CCD classes at St. Anthony Church in North Providence, RI, as well as feeding the homeless on rotating Sundays at said church. Kathy also worked for many years at the St. Edward Food and Wellness Center on a volunteer basis every Wednesday. A devout Catholic, Kathy was for the most part a daily communicant until the cancer prevented her from continuing. On a lighter note, Kathy was known as an excellent cook/baker, an avid Red Sox fan, a devoted bird watcher/feeder and a productive backyard gardener. Kathy and Hugo had the enjoyable privilege/challenge of raising their 2 fur babies: Darius and Enzo, both gorgeous Rottweilers. Kathy and Hugo were also blessed with a beautiful home in West Palm Beach, FL. where they were able to spend quality time. Undoubtedly, Kathy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Her mass of Christian burial, performed by the Reverend Edward S. Cardente from St. Anthony Church in North Providence, RI, was private.
Arrangements were entrusted to the J.F. Skeffington Funeral Home and Cremations, 925 Chalkstone Ave. Providence, RI.
For online condolences, kindly visit: Skeffingtonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy’s name can be made to:
The Brain Cancer Support Group Fund at Lifespan Cancer Institute
PO Box H
Providence, RI 02901
Or
St. Anthony Rectory
5 Gibbs St.
North Providence, RI 02904
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