Helen Joan Kuchta

Helen Joan Kuchta, age 69, loving mother of three sons and wife of Dennis Kuchta, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, 2022 after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Joan was born on Oct. 28, 1952 in Sacramento, Calif., to parents Bernard Earl and Wilma Jean McClure. In 1963, Joan and her family moved to the Salinas Valley, where she attended Soledad Elementary School. She made dear friends that she continued to spend time with throughout her adult years. In 1972, Joan married Dennis Kuchta and they settled on the family ranch in Arroyo Seco, where they raised their family and celebrated many milestones. Joan had many "boy mom" adventures that became endearing stories of raising their family in the rural Arroyo Seco Canyon.

In 2004, Joan became "Noni" when her first grandson, Carson, was born. In the years to follow, Noni welcomed six more grandchildren to the Kuchta family; Cassidy, Sye, Alden, Miles, Anton and Axel. Noni loved when her grandchildren visited and enjoyed a house filled with friends, family and laughter.

Joan was blessed with many caring friends and family members who loved to visit and enjoyed her delicious cooking and candid sense of humor. Joan was especially known for her polenta and stew, which won awards at local contests. Joan enjoyed traveling, reading, plants and garden design, painting, home decor and walks around the ranch. In her later years, Joan developed a love of painting and continued to paint even as she was receiving cancer treatments at Stanford Hospital.

Joan is survived by her husband, Dennis; sons, Corey (Melvia), Kristopher, Shawn (Jennifer); seven grandchildren; sister, Linda Perez; brother, Larry McClure; sister-in-law, Kathy Tavernetti; and brother-in-law, Robert Madsen.

A funeral mass will be held in her name on Friday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at the Soledad Mission.

A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the mass at the home of Corey and Melvia on 36750 Ashley Ave. in Greenfield.

Joan was determined to beat cancer and would have turned 70 this year. She was looking forward to her 70th birthday party. She was also looking forward to what would have been her 50 year anniversary with her beloved husband, Dennis, who she lovingly called "Denny." Joan was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and a true friend that will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Remembrances can be made to: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; St. Judes Children's Research Hospital; King City High School FFA, Horticulture Department

Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com.

Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · June 20, 2022