Kathleen Bocchi

Kathleen (Pronschinske) Bocchi passed away peacefully on November 11, 2023. She was born October 14, 1926 to Albert and Lu (George) Pronschinske in Arcadia, Wisconsin and was the oldest of five children. Kathleen grew up on the Wisconsin dairy farm run by her parents, along with her siblings: Clarice, JoAnn, Albert Jr. and Harlan.

Kathleen graduated from Arcadia High School in 1944 and attended Eau Claire State College in Wisconsin. During World War II Kathleen worked for a defense company in Wisconsin making bomb powder. After the war, she worked in the offices of Oscar Meyer in Madison, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked for Dun and Bradstreet. In Bellingham, she worked for Parberry Inc., Diehl Ford, and finished her career as a bookkeeper for Dewey Griffin.

Kathleen married Joseph Bocchi of Buhl, Minnesota on May 28, 1949. They met in Minneapolis and moved to Bellingham in June 1950. They had a wonderful life together for 53 years until Joe passed away in 2002. Kathleen and Joe were active members of the Bellingham community where they raised their four children: Anita (Michael) Page of Lacey, WA, Gregory (Linda) Bocchi of Sarasota, FL, Eileen (Kevin) Bayer of Enumclaw, WA, and Paul (Holly) Bocchi of Lakewood, WA.

Kathleen has eight wonderful grandchildren: Thaxton (Nicole) Page, Matthew Bocchi, Benjamin (Erin) Bayer, Nicholas Bayer, Alexis Bayer, and Joseph, Preston, and Rachel Bocchi, and one great-grandchild, Amara Page. She is also survived by her sister JoAnn Lemancik, sisters-in-law Delores Pronschinske, Gayl Bocchi, and Marge Bocchi, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Sr. and Lu Pronschinske, her husband Joseph, brothers Albert Jr. and Harlan Pronschinske, sister Clarice Wendland, sisters-in-law Linda Shukle, JoAnn Collins, and Patricia Pronschinske, brothers-in-law Angelo and Quinto Bocchi, Ed Shukle Sr., Robyn Lemancik, Merlin Wendland, and Robert Collins.

Kathleen took her civic duty very seriously. She was a member of Jaycee Wives Club and was President from 1954-1955. They took on numerous projects that benefited the city of Bellingham and its citizens. Out of 85 Jaycee Organizations in Washington State, Kathleen was voted “Outstanding President” at the 1955 state convention.

She was a long-time member of the Iota Orthopedic Guild, Girl Scouts, Campfire, and the Bellingham Senior Center. Kathleen was a member of Assumption parish for many years and served in numerous capacities in St. Dominic’s Circle. She was active in the Mary Knight Auxiliary at St. Joseph’s Hospital, serving as co-president for one year.

Kathleen was an avid bridge player in her early years and was also noted for her sewing skills, making numerous items for her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed volunteering at the Bellingham Food Bank and for the Whatcom County Literacy Program. She received certificates of appreciation for her support and time commitment as a Whatcom County Poll Worker during many elections.

While working as a bookkeeper for several businesses in Bellingham, Kathleen was a charter member of American Society of Women Accountants-North Cascades Chapter, serving as treasurer. Always generous with her time and talents, Kathleen received recognition from the IRS for her volunteer tax services to the needy during tax season.

During retirement Kathleen and Joe traveled to many countries, including Italy, Spain, and England. They sailed through the Panama Canal, traveled across Canada and to just about every state in the U.S. After Joe’s passing Kathleen traveled to Europe with relatives and took a trip to China.

We would like to thank Lacey Memory Care and Assured Hospice of Olympia for their hard work and assistance in her care. Memorial donations in Kathleen’s name can be made to the Bellingham Food Bank (1824 Ellis St. Bellingham, WA 98225) or the YWCA (1026 N. Forest St. Bellingham, WA 98225).

A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held on Friday, December 8th at 1:00pm at Westford Funeral Home (1301 Broadway, Bellingham, WA), with reception following at Westford’s Broadway Hall.