Catherine Tonucci

Kure Beach, N.C. — Catherine (Dempsey) Tonucci, 65, of Kure Beach, N.C., formerly of Waterford, who had an infectious laugh and was kind to all, died June 7, 2014, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born April 11, 1949, in New London, a daughter of the late John C. and Alberta (Scates) Dempsey. She was a 1967 graduate of New London High School.

Before moving to Kure Beach, Cathy was a bartender at many local establishments in the region, including Mr. G’s, Ye Olde Tavern, Harrington’s and Louie’s, where she greeted many of her customers by name. She was generous to family, friends and even those she didn’t know.

At Christmastime, at whatever bar she was working, she’d organize annual gift givings for families in need. She was also an organ donor.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Tonucci of Kure Beach; her son, Jay Prude and his wife, Sherrie, and two grandsons, Ethan and Devon; two sisters, Aileen McGarry and husband, Daniel, of Quaker Hill, Helen Dykas and husband, Jim, of Higganum; four stepchildren, Norman and Michael Tonucci, Eric Tonucci and wife, Susan, and Judy Lynn Algiere and husband, James; nine nieces and nephews, including her godson, John McGarry; and nine step-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her three brothers, James P., John C. and Charles J. Dempsey.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at St. Joseph Church in New London. Burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Old Mystic will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or online at www. stjude.org.

Please visit www.byles. com for directions, to sign her guest book, or to share a memory.