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Beatrice Marie Ritrovato Kukulech passed away peacefully on February 14, 2015.

On May 26, 1932, Joseph and Helena Ritrovato welcomed their new baby girl who came to be known as Bea, Betty, Betty Boop, Mima, Grandma, Mama Kuku, Meme, and by so many as “Ma.”

Growing up in Tuckahoe, NY, her family, including her brother Paul, (now of Middleburg, NY along with wife Patricia) and sister Mary (Jenison of Pittsfield) moved to Pittsfield, NY in 1947.  Coming from the city area to the smaller Village of New Berlin, she soon made many friends with the graduating Class of 1950, who still hold class reunions every year to this day.

To make things even better, she met and married the love of her life, George Kukulech on July 2, 1950.  In 1952 they bought “The Farm on the Hill” where they would live for the next 62 years.

Raising four daughters, Deb & Jim Eccleston of New Berlin, Sue & Tim Thompson of Orlando, FL, Janice Coveny of Pittsfield and Kathy & Dale Ives of Pittsfield, she always had an open door for over-night friends and a table full of food for anyone who would not leave hungry.

When she wasn’t busy from working in the school cafeteria, she could be found chaperoning band and color guard trips, taking tickets at the Morris Fair and working the concession stand at the stock car races.  Around that time she found a new hobby, making wedding and all occasion cakes which she did for the next 30 years.

With the arrival of grandchildren, Jill, Jennifer, Mickey, Missy, Leslie, Beada, Georgie, Matt, Annie & Jessi, they had to sometimes resort to purposely trying to make a cake flop as they were tired of hearing, “No you can’t have that, it’s an order!”

After retiring from the school she stayed busy with all her “Farm Babies”, was a member of the First United Methodist Church, New Berlin, helped on Election Day at the firehouse and the Pittsfield Ladies Auxiliary.

She also leaves behind 23 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Jane Knapp of Oneonta, several nieces & nephews, extended family and friends of The Oneonta Dialysis Unit and Chase Nursing Home of New Berlin.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2015 from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Dakin Funeral Home LP.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 18 at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church, New Berlin, NY with Reverend Lyle Linder officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsfield Emergency Squad, or the First United Methodist Church of New Berlin Kitchen Fund.