Kathleen Josephine Rincon

September 4, 1948 – March 29, 2026

Kathleen Josephine Rincon, a woman of profound strength and devotion, died

peacefully on March 29, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 77.

Born on September 4, 1948 to Hugh and Helen Kelly, Kathy was raised in Flushing,

Queens. Her character was deeply impacted by her father, Hugh, whose brief presence

in her life left a lasting impression, and by her mother, Helen, her closest confidante and

influence on her journey as a mother. Throughout her life, she remained inseparable

from her sister, Gladys, maintaining a bond that remained a defining part of her heart

even after her sister’s passing. She also held a lifelong admiration and love for her older

brother, Hugh. She looked up to him, and he looked after her. Despite their distance,

they always remained close and spoke almost everyday - he always signed off their

phone calls by saying, “Kid, me and you against the world."

After receiving her Masters in Education from Niagara University, she met Hildebrando,

a handsome Colombian man with whom she shared an immediate connection. They

overcame a language barrier and learned the same language of love. Their connection

was built through a series of love letters she wrote to him during a year spent road

tripping through California after her graduation. These letters marked the beginning of a

lifetime of written expressions of her heart. After California dreaming, Kathy came home

to Hildo to begin the rest of their lives.

Kathy’s capacity to love only grew with each one of her children. She was profoundly

invested in their development and faith, instilling in them both confidence and vibrant

personalities. Her guiding command to her family was simple and unwavering: "Always

stick together, no matter what." She was a woman of vibrant energy who didn't know

how to slow down. Between raising four kids and her decades in the classroom, she still

found the time to run half-marathons, sign up for baking classes on a whim, and learn

French - always jumping into new hobbies for the joy of the new and the unknown. She

made a full life look effortless, always fueled by a genuine curiosity for the world around

her.

In 2003, Kathy’s world transformed as she became “Nana” - marking the beginning of

the most golden years of her life. She was a grandmother of incomparable devotion who

relished every moment spent with her grandchildren. Nana was a constant, joyful

presence—never missing a first day of school, a birthday, or a daily phone call. She was

the one waiting with open arms for after-school snacks and hugs, and her voice could

always be heard above the crowd at matches, recitals and graduations. Even in her

later years, she gave that same undying devotion to her littlest munchkins, proving that

her heart always had room for one more commitment.

In addition to her life at home, Kathy was a dedicated educator who spent more than

three decades teaching Spanish at Long Beach High School. Kathy was known for her

“old-school” approach to teaching and for her legendary student trips through the South

of Spain. Kathy did not just teach a language; she shared cultures that she loved. 

Kathy was a force of nature who loved with a rare, loud intensity. She had a unique gift

for turning friends into family, and her holiday gatherings were legendary—she was the

tireless host who would sashay through the house in a kitchen apron, holding appetizers

in one hand and holding court with the other. While she never sought to be the center of

attention, her presence was the pulse of every room. She lived with a rare authenticity,

always speaking her mind with a spirit and at a decibel level entirely her own. There

was never a need for last words or regrets because Kathy ensured you knew exactly

where you stood in her heart. This same unwavering presence showed up in the

beautiful, frequent notes she wrote to her husband, children, and grandchildren, and in

the way she would offer her undivided attention to anyone who called, rooted firmly in

the lives of those she loved.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, centered on a deep and lifelong devotion to our

Blessed Mother. She was always an active member of her parish, originally of Corpus

Christi (Mineola) and then Sacred Heart (North Merrick).  She taught religious education

and traveled on pilgrimages to holy sites, including Mexico (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

and Medjugorje. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America and

Pro Life Committee. She was a steadfast Extraordinary Minister and Lector. She

attended daily Mass and had a deep love for her close parishioner friends. To Kathy, her

faith was a foundational source of strength that she shared generously, often offering a

prayer or a kind word to those in need. She found her most profound peace and joy in

church, where she was happiest simply being surrounded by her family.

For 18 months, Kathy bravely battled cancer. Throughout this journey, she remained

profoundly content with the life she had built, focusing her energy on her family and their

future. She passed as she lived—without fear, surrounded by the family she cherished,

and ready to meet God.

Kathleen leaves behind a loving family, led by her devoted husband, Hildo, and their

four children: Kathleen Michele, John Paul, Nicole Marie, and Brandon, as well as her

children-in-law, whom she loved as her own: Pamela (John Paul), Luis (Kathleen), and

Arielle (Brandon). She is also survived by the loves of her life, her nine grandchildren:

John Paul Jr., Matteo, Austin, Gabriella, Luis Sebastian, Jude, Michael, Lennon, and

Lily. She is finally survived by her big brother, Hugh.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her father, Hugh; her mother, Helen; and her sister,

Gladys.

Service Information

Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Kathy’s life at the following

services:

 Wake: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at William E. Law Funeral Home, Massapequa,

NY, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 7:00–9:00 p.m.

 Funeral Mass: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart

Church, North Merrick.

 Burial: Queen of Peace Cemetery, Old Westbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kathy’s honor to

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.   

Link Here:https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now