Kathleen J. Greco

Kathleen Jane (McCormack) Greco, 73, of North Kingston, RI passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 11, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Leo McCormack and Marguerite (McGorty) McCormack. She is survived by her husband of 51 years Joseph J. Greco, MD.

Kathy grew up in the city of Providence and attended Saint Teresa High School. It was there that she made lifelong friends Jean Manuppelli, Judy Matarese Babikian and Carol Brotman. They would roller skate and meet up over Olneyville hot dogs late at night. Kathy had an Aunt Mary who bestowed the gift of music on her. She learned the piano and despite her stage fright, played the organ at Saint Teresa Church. When she was 19, while enrolled in nursing school she met her future husband Joseph Greco who was in the Navy’s Seabees stationed at Quonset, RI. After a courtship between Rhode Island and New York City where he was doing his ophthalmology residency, they were married June 3, 1971 in Providence, RI. They moved to Salem, MA and then Topsfield, MA where they settled for the next twenty years. She devoted this time period to raising her children. She was actively involved in the PTA and Topsfield Garden Club. She made many friends in the neighborhood and hosted an impromptu pizza party during the Blizzard of 1978, as her husband had medical clearance to drive on the roads.

She was passionate about music and passed on this love to her children; especially to her son, who studied it in college and made his first career out of it. She attended many concerts and theatrical performances, including James Taylor too many times to count. She enjoyed sharing her musical knowledge and spent many car rides translating the meaning behind lyrics.

Kathy was born with a disease that eventually put her in renal failure. She was fortunate to have a brother, Terry, that was willing to donate one of his kidneys. This gave her another lease on life and an additional twenty years that her family will be forever grateful for.

She loved to travel and was blessed to visit many states and countries. A few of her favorite trips include a cruise through Alaska which included a helicopter ride to a glacier. A trip to Italy that culminated in a private mass in Pope John Paul II’s private chambers. Several trips to Ireland, one she shared with her brother to thank him for his kidney donation. Kathy approached traveling like a research project. She spent considerable time planning and sharing fun facts like the number of triangles on the Epcot sphere. She took great pride in cooking and hosted many holiday meals for family. Kathy took a genuine interest in the lives of those she loved

Besides her husband, Kathy is survived by her daughter Karla M. Greco MD and husband Matt Kirk of Exeter, NH, Son, Joseph M. Greco and wife Erin Greco of Portsmouth, RI. She is survived by four granddaughters Evalynne and Corinne Kirk, Violet and Julia Greco. In addition, she is survived by her sister Maureen Theodore of Wakefield, RI, and brothers, Terrence McCormack of North Kingstown, RI, and Brian McCormack of Poulsbo, Washington. She is predeceased by her son Matthew Greco and brother, Thomas McCormack.

In addition to her immediate family, she leaves behind nieces and nephews that she loved like her own children. She will forever be remembered as a great listener to those in need with a cup of tea in hand.