Kathleen Rene "Kathy" Tirado

Kathleen Rene Tirado (Raup) went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2025, after a courageous five-month battle with cancer. She was lovingly cared for in-home hospice by her niece, Shawna Bilak, partner Danny Curtin, and Shawna's sons, Damier and Drashon Thomas, until her peaceful passing.

Kathy was the beloved daughter of Roberta Raup (Richards) and the late Darwin Raup Sr. Predeceased by her niece, Randy Lynne Harvey, and husband, Jose Tirado Jr. She is survived by her son, Anthony (Desiree) Tirado, along with four beautiful grandchildren who brought her immense joy.

Kathy is also survived by her five siblings: Shelly Bilak, partner Richard Caracci; Darwin Raup Jr.; Michael Raup (Julie Goodrich); Marty (Janice) Raup; and Roy (Debra) Raup. Kathy also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A gifted crafter, Kathy was an avid crocheter and a master of plastic canvas art. Her warmth and kindness touched everyone she met-she had a gift for turning strangers into friends. Known for her generous heart and love of online shopping, Kathy brought joy and laughter wherever she went. Though taken too soon, Kathy's spirit, creativity, and compassion will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. She will be dearly missed.

She was a big fan of WWE wrestling and especially loved watching when The Big Show appeared. Many memories were made gathered together watching RAW, SummerSlam, and, of course, WrestleMania.

Selflessness defined Kathy. She gave freely to anyone in need-whether it was time, food, or simply a listening ear. She spoiled her loved ones with little treats, thoughtful dinner suggestions, and lots of laughter. Her favorite meal was homemade goulash, but she was also perfectly happy with a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli or beefaroni when things were simple.

Kathy's greatest joy in life was being a mother to her son, Anthony. She often shared how scared she was bringing him home from the hospital-a tiny, three-month premature baby weighing just 3 lbs 7 oz, connected to a lung and heart monitoring machine. But from the very beginning, she poured her heart into caring for him, never wavering in her love or determination. Watching Anthony grow into the man he is today filled her with indescribable pride.

She often said that the greatest gift he ever gave her was becoming a father himself. Her four grandchildren brought her endless happiness, and she cherished every moment she spent with them. Being their grandma was one of her greatest honors, and she never missed a chance to brag about them, spoil them, or light up at the sound of their voices. Our fondest memories was Kathy being lit up with joy whenever she got to spend time with her grandchildren. Those visits were the highlight of her life-she often didn't want to come home afterward, and our cat, Finn, would sulk until she returned. Christmas was her favorite time of year, especially when it came to giving gifts. She was a heartfelt and thoughtful gift-giver, always knowing just the right thing to make someone feel special.

When Kathy was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, she faced it with unwavering faith and peace. Her mantra became "one day at a time," a phrase she repeated often. She made it clear she was never afraid of dying-she looked forward to being reunited in heaven with her beloved niece, Randy Lynne Harvey, and her father, Darwin Raup Sr. She asked that at her passing, the song "I'm Really Gonna Miss You" by Smokey Robinson be played-a message she wanted the world to hear, as it brings comfort to our hearts.

Kathy taught us not to fear death, but to take life one day at a time. Even during her final months, she encouraged us to keep making memories, to support each other, and to find moments of joy amid sorrow. A perfect example of this was, despite her illness, Kathy insisted on celebrating her St. Patrick's Day birthday this past year. She encouraged us all to decorate, laugh, and carry on with joy and love in our hearts. That celebration, marked by green and gold balloons, her love for anything pig-related, and cherished memories, will live in our hearts forever.

Her spirit shone brightly in her final months. We were truly blessed to care for her at home, where she was surrounded by constant love from her family and friends-especially her niece, Shawna, who provided care every hour of every day. Kathy's courage during her final journey transformed our fear into peace. She showed us strength, grace, and resilience, and reminded us to find hope in each moment.

Kathy was the heart and memory of our family-our living historian. Her incredible recall of family events, stories, and details made her the go-to for anyone seeking to relive a moment from the past. She could bring stories to life with such vivid joy, especially when sharing tales from her childhood. One of her favorites was the time she chased her brother Mike down the road with a cast-iron frying pan-though, as she always said with a smile, the two of them were "thick as thieves."

A true testament to the deep bond between Kathy and her brother Mike was shown in his selfless love and support during her final months. Mike went above and beyond to ensure his sister was comfortable-setting up her palliative care room, assembling and disassembling her hospital bed, and making sure her space felt like home. He spent countless hours with her, especially on Mother's Day, and though Kathy was no longer able to speak, we believe in our hearts she knew he was there. His presence brought her comfort in ways words never could. Mike and Julie visited often, always bringing little gifts and trinkets to lift her spirits-most memorably, her beloved pink pig pillow for her birthday, which became a treasured companion in her final days. His quiet acts of love spoke volumes and will never be forgotten.

In her final years, Kathy also shared precious time with her mother, Roberta, especially during moments when Shawna and Dan would travel. The two would sit together crocheting or working on plastic canvas crafts-exchanging stories, laughter, and memories. Those quiet, meaningful days brought them closer than ever before. Kathy cherished those moments of connection, and their bond became one of love, comfort, and deep understanding.

A BIG thank you to Kathy's sister Shelly for her unwavering love, dedication, and constant support throughout Kathy's life. Whether it was taking her to doctor's appointments, helping with groceries, or making sure she got to every family event and holiday gathering, you were always there when she needed you. In her final days, Kathy called your name often and with such love. She adored you beyond words. Kathy had a bond that was unbreakable and full of admiration. Not only were you her big sister, but you were also her protector and her guiding light. Kathy looked up to you in every aspect of life. When she was scared, you were the first person she turned to. She trusted your wisdom, your experience, and your unwavering love more than words could ever express. Your relationship was a beautiful example of sisterhood, and one she cherished deeply.Thank you for being there in her last moments-your presence meant everything.

We take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with your daughter, Randy Lynne, singing together and watching over us all. Kathy has surely earned her "green" set of angel wings.

Kathy had a deep love for her brother Marty, and though he lived thousands of miles away, their bond remained strong. In her final days, she was overjoyed to connect with Marty and his wife Janice through a Zoom call-one last heartfelt conversation filled with love, memories, and smiles. It brought her great peace and happiness to see her brother's face and hear his voice before she made her journey to the pearly gates of Heaven. That moment meant the world to her and to all of us.

And a heartfelt thank you to Kathy's brother Roy and his wife Debra for making the journey to be with us during such a tender and difficult time. Your presence brought comfort, strength, and support when it was needed most. Roy, your hard work around the house in Kathy's final weeks-from the meaningful tasks to the quiet, behind-the-scenes help-created an atmosphere of care, dignity, and peace for her. Debra, your thoughtful efforts in helping organize and prepare for a Christmas Kathy won't physically be here to see brought light into our home. We know she'll be with us in spirit, smiling down as we carry on her traditions with love. We are deeply grateful for all you both did to honor her.

Kathy found immense joy in the time she spent with her nephews, DraShon and Damier. She was not only their aunt but also a loving caregiver, role model, and constant source of comfort and fun throughout their lives. From the early days of babysitting them, she made sure they never came home from school without a hot, home-cooked dinner-followed by snacks, laughter, and always something sweet like her famous apple crisp. She spoiled them with toys, shared heart-to-heart conversations about her life story, and filled their days with video games like Turok, Space Invaders, and Tetris. Kathy loved their beach days, swimming together, and hosting unforgettable BBQs that still echo in their hearts. Kathy was affectionately known as "Kack-a-lacky." The nickname was a perfect reflection of the fun, loving, and playful spirit she shared with them throughout their lives. It became a name filled with laughter, love, and countless memories that will forever echo in their hearts. Her love was unconditional, and the bond they shared was unbreakable-memories filled with warmth, fun, and deep affection that will last a lifetime.

Living with us over the past five years, Kathy became more than family-she was a teacher of life. She showed us how to be kind, how to give, how to love unconditionally, and (in her words) how to "remember where you put things." We will carry these lessons with us forever.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible hospice care team who walked this journey with us:

Kimberly F., her hospice nurse, and Jill Wellman, her hospice social worker, whose compassionate care and unwavering support were a gift to both Kathy and our entire family. Your presence helped carry us through an incredibly difficult time, and we are forever thankful for the comfort and dignity you helped provide in her final days.
Heather D., her hospice aide, whose kindness and care meant the world to us. Kathy looked forward to your visits, whether it was working on Diamond Art, crossword puzzles, or simply watching movies together. You brought light and peace into her days.
Janice, her hospice volunteer, whose presence allowed us quiet moments of rest. Your time, walks, and comforting spirit helped bring calm into our home. While Kathy may not have known you long, we are sure she felt your kindness-and we like to think she's smiling somewhere, remembering her scoops and dip.

Kathy, we will miss you more than words can express, but we take comfort in knowing that we will see you again when it's our time to join the Lord. #SoftAsPetals,FlewFree

As we navigate this time of grief, we would be deeply comforted to hear your cherished memories, stories, or moments shared with Kathy. Your words, laughter, and love will help us carry her spirit forward and bring light to our hearts in the days ahead. Knowing how she touched the lives of others means the world to us – please don't hesitate to share what she meant to you.

At Kathy's request, there will be no calling hours or formal service. The family will be holding a private celebration of her life to honor her memory in a way that reflects the love and warmth she gave so freely June 6th, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathy's name to:

UR Medicine Hospice

2180 Empire Blvd

Webster, NY 14580

Or

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/home-care/hospice-care/donations