Irene Ann (Barca) Hotchkiss, age 87 of Kenosha, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

She was born on November 16, 1931 in Pedace, Province of Cosenza, Italy. She was the daughter of the late Antonio and Immacolata (Recchia) Barca.

At the age of 18, Irene traveled to America with a dream for a better life. She met the love of her life, Walter R. Hotchkiss, and they were married on November 22, 1958 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. After 48 years of marriage, Walter preceded her in death on December 27, 2006. Together, they raised the 5 “K’s” and had a lifetime of wonderful memories and adventures.

She was a faithful, lifetime member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Irene worked at American Motors for many years but was fortunate to stay home and raise her family. She did go back to work when her family was grown and retired in 1989.

Her life was centered around cooking, family and laughter. Hours were spent around the table sharing stories and love. Dinners would last for hours.

She came alone, but left this world with a legacy of unconditional love that will never be forgotten.

She will be remembered by her children, Kenneth (Joanne) Hotchkiss, Kelly (Frank) Andreoli, Keith (Gina) Hotchkiss, Kathy (Kurt) Sinclair and Karen (Jim) Coniker; her grandchildren, Gretchen Bush, Anthony and David (Marie) Hotchkiss, Deanna and Kimberly Hotchkiss, Nicholas (Rachel) and Krystina Andreoli, Matthew, Marissa and Michael Hotchkiss, Luke, Samantha and Kyle Sinclair and Sophia and Lorenzo Coniker and her great-grandchildren, Frankie, Adrianna, Claire, Eva, Lilliana, Abigail, Dominic, Bennett and Emma.

Irene is further survived by her nieces and nephews, Concetta Faraca, Giovanna (Robert) Baretti, Antonio Faraca, Mario Faraca and Remiggio (Annalisa) Tanese; and their children; and Judy (Mark) Zwolinski, Diana Santopoalo and their children.

In addition to her parents and husband, Walter Hotchkiss; she was preceded in death by her sisters, Eva Barca, Rita Faraca, Maria Tanese and Aurora Barca; her brother-in-law, Frank Santopoalo, her sister-in-law, Lois Santopoalo and her niece, Mary Santopoalo.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019. A visitation will be held on Saturday at Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue from 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2224 45^th Street.  Private services will take place at All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church would be appreciated.