Carol Cocchiarella

Carol Mary Cocchiarella, a beacon of warmth, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on December 12, 2025, after a sudden and aggressive cancer diagnosis. She was born in St. Paul, MN, to Luigi and Irene (Scholler) Cocchiarella.

Carol is survived by her children, Kevin DuCharme, Karen (Michael) Seymour, and Megan (Nathan) Reichmann; her beloved grandsons, Theo and Dominic Seymour; and her siblings, Martin (Elizabeth), Christine, Tom (Connie), Mary (Jon Moller), Frank, Bobby (Jan), Annette (Jake Minnig), and Mark (Wendy), as well as many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Carol was known for her kind and open heart. Her love was unconditional; her welcome unwavering.

She found joy in caring for others-whether that meant making her famous lasagna, spending time with her grandsons, ensuring her home was just right, baking cookies or rolls, watching Hallmark movies with her daughters, or playing Scrabble at the kitchen table on a quiet afternoon.

For Carol, "family" was never limited to blood alone; it included her neighbors, her friends, her colleagues, the people who served her daily coffee or shared her gym, and anyone lucky enough to be folded into her orbit. Her devotion to her grandsons was radiant and unshakable, and her love for others was the center of her life.

She was the warmth that reminded her family they belonged, the steady love that anchored, and the open door that welcomed back. She will be deeply missed.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 30th at 11AM at St. Odilia Catholic Church (3495 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126), with visitation beginning at 10AM and luncheon to follow. Services are being coordinated through her cherished colleagues at Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapel. A private inurnment will take place at Calvary Cemetery.

May her memory be a blessing and her love a lasting light in all our hearts.