"Dear Carol and Barbara, I am so very sorry to hear of your Mom\'s passing. What an amazing woman she was! I always enjoyed seeing her when I visited the dealership. I often laugh about the story of all of you running to catch a train in NYC and your mom reminding you about your lipstick. I know that you have so many wonderful memories of times that you shared. My condolences to your entire family and all those who loved Cora. You are in my heart at this difficult time. "
In loving memory of
Cora Saccucci
November 22, 1924 - June 16, 2020
It is with great sadness, that the Saccucci family announces the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother, and gigi. Cora Peppes Saccucci passed away from cancer Tuesday evening, June 16th. She was predeceased by her loving husband Michael in 1983. Cora was surrounded by her daughters, their families, their dogs and her wonderful caregivers.
Cora was 95 and had every intention of making it to 100. She recognized that she had a wonderful life and did not want to leave. Her daily routine of working at the family dealership was interrupted last year with this diagnosis. Staying home was a very difficult option for Cora to accept, as anyone who knew her would agree. She considered all Saccucci personnel a part of her family and made every effort to see them when possible. Her final gift was to be at the dealership to pass out the Christmas bonuses.
There is much to be said about Cora Saccucci. She was extremely generous, possessed a sharp wit and a great singing voice. She performed, too much acclaim, first, as a can-can dancer and then as a featured singer at the Lions Club annual Gas Light Key Club for many years.
She was a wonderful cook and hostess. When Mike was alive he was always proud and eager to share her skills with company, inviting Ford and Honda executives home for dinner frequently. When President Kennedy was in town and the Secret Service agents would come to borrow a Lincoln for the President, they too, would be guests at Coras table.
Neighbors were cherished as family, and for 68 years she has hosted a Christmas Eve party that four generations can remember as part of their Christmas tradition.
Cora firmly believed that fine feathers make fine birds, loved fashion, and was always known for looking her best. She freely shared her view that, wearing lipstick was important because it makes you feel better.
As President of Saccucci Auto Group, Cora was an inspiring presence to employees. She was much loved, sometimes feared, and famous for her my name is Cora, but Im Frank and Ernest attitude.
One of her proudest accomplishments was her family business. When Mike died, she knew that she and her daughters had been working side by side for years and that they would continue to run the dealership. At that time, there were only a handful of women-owned and operated automobile dealerships in the country, and she resisted calls from potential buyers and company executives to sell. This May, Saccucci Auto Group, Inc. celebrated its 70th year.
Cora leaves a legacy to include: two daughters, Barbara Saccucci Radebach and her husband Richard; Carol Saccucci and her partner Gaylin Cordes; Barbaras daughter, Michaela Reynolds; son, Gardiner Reynolds and his wife Emily; Carols son, Michael Meyer and his wife Jessica. She also leaves behind her very special gifts - great grandchildren Gardiner Reynolds V (G5), Logan Reynolds, Breccan Reynolds and Elaine (Lainey) Meyer. Cora is predeceased by her parents, William and Edith Peppes of Pawtucket, brother Harold Peppes of Pawtucket, sister Mary Garreau of Lincoln, and sister Amy Wotherspoon of Cumberland. She is survived by her sister Becky Delarm of Deerfield, Illinois. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Cora also leaves her beloved Koula, Sadie, Seamus, Cam, Lily and Remmy, who gave her the special love that only four-legged granddogs can give.
The Saccucci family is very grateful to Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice. To Coras wonderful caregivers who have been a comfort to the family as we have navigated this difficult time. Thank you Suzanne, Louise, Beth, Sheila, Lisa, Mary, Mexi and Sue.
The funeral will be private. A celebration of Coras life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, and because Cora supported so many charitable organizations, please feel free to make a contribution to the charity of your choosing.
Tributes
"Dear Carol, Barbara and family, Just learned of Cora\'s passing. Although I didn\'t run into her very often, she always remembered me as once being Jeff\'s legal assistant, and always greeted me with a dazzling smile and took a moment to chat. My heart goes out to you and pray that you will find comfort in your memories. To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is not to die. - Barbara (Beej) Alexander"
"My sincere condolences to the Saccucci family."
"Dear Barbara and Carol and all Cora's beloved family,I have many warm memories of our years at St. George's Church. Your family pew was just in front of ours. I also fondly remember those raucous Gaslight evenings where your Mom's talent and fun loving nature really shone.I last saw her about two years ago at St. Mary's in Portsmoth. We wound up in the same pew this time. She was so gracious when I introduced myself to her. She was upset with herself for not recognizing me. It had only been about 30 years!I know all the wonderful family memories that you created will sustain you for a lifetime. Now your mother rests in perpetual light with all the saints of God.Sincerely,Janet Ward Martin(daughter of Doug and Pauline)"
"Carol and Barbara and the entire family, My sincere sympathies. I met your mother only a couple of times but everytime we met she would make me feel like I had known her forever. I know she will be deeply missed by you all and by all the people that had the pleasure of being her family and friend.Mona Lyga Carberry"
"Dear Barbara, Carol, and family:Please accept our sincere condolences for your koss.. We admired her drive and dedication. She was remarkable, and she will always be remembered. May your many good memories of her bring you comfort and peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Cora was one-of-a-kind, a true lady. I have so many memories of time spent at the house....and any time I hear "Hello Dolly" I always think of her. My very deepest condolences,"
"We are long time customers of Saccucci - the very best of the best. So many times we were graced with her presence at Saccucci Honda. So professional, so graceful and poised, her leadership and a delightful presence to her being. Our most sincerest condolences to Barbara and Carol and your entire family. She truly is a woman never to be forgotten. Rest peacefully in Heaven. God has received a lovely woman."
"Sincerest Sympathies to the Family of Cora Saccucci.We remember her support and generous contributions with fondness and appreciation over the past several years. She served as a Sponsor at many of our fundraising event. We are most grateful for her magnanimous, thoughtful, and encouraging support. We will keep her in our prayers.Newport County Branch - NAACP"
"I worked at Signatures when Cora owned her store. What a gracious, lovely lady she was!"
"What an incredible legacy. What a remarkable woman."
"My sincere condolences to the entire Saccucci family. It would be difficult to share the comical things and her finger waving ( when she wasnt happy) with Cora. On occasion I would walk to Stop and Shop and get 4 all beef hot dogs and rolls. That I shared with her. You would think I gave her a thousand lbs. of gold. May you Rest In Peace dear lady. You were definitely one of a kind!"
"My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family of Cora Saccucci. She was truly an extraordinary woman and was admired by everyone who was fortunate to meet her. As she now rests in peace, may you all find comfort in the memories that you have of her extraordinary life."
"I knew Mike back in the day when he was GM of Cummings Motors, our local Lincoln Mercury dealer located on Connell Highway. Good man, and a gentleman, bought one of my first, used, cars from him as a teenager and he treated me like a buyer, not a kid.I met Cora after Mike bought out Mrs. Cummings and Cora became Mikes business partner, and she was a true partner not window dressing. She wouldnt remember me but I was always impressed with her presence, confidence, and obvious respect from the employees. Then she took over after Mikes untimely too early death and continued the dealership as a rock solid success with her daughters and then the next generation of the family.My condolences to her family, she left all of you a wonderful legacy and Im sure the family will carry on the tradition of success that she would expect. A life well lived.God Bless Cora."
"Cora was always fun to be around and sincere with good advice. Loved the many hilarious times Nancy and I had with Cora at Newport Hairquarters and admired and appreciated her stately fashion. She deeply loved her family and spoke of them with such pride. My brother, Michael Alexander, truly loved and admired her. My condolences to all her family and together, may the endless memories of this outstanding woman comfort them forever."
"A truly kind individual and professional who graced us with her presence here on Aquidneck Island. Rest in peace, Mrs. S. You are fondly remembered."