Rosemary Ann (Kuckel) Reynolds, 76, of Simsbury, beloved wife of James Reynolds, died unexpectedly on February 28, in Gainesville, FL, as the result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Born on August 4, 1940, in Hartford, CT, to the late Benjamin and Rose (Vincent) Kuckel, she was a lifelong resident of Simsbury and an active member of the community. Education, faith, family and friends were the pillars of her life.

She was graduated from Simsbury High School and the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT, obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Hartford, then remained in the classroom, serving as a teacher in a career that would bookend the time she spent at home raising her family. She taught in the Simsbury and Torrington, CT, school districts as well as at St. Mary's School in Simsbury. Rosemary found joy in working with students, especially those who found learning difficult, tutoring for many years as well. Following her retirement from teaching, she continued to support education, spending 8 years presenting workshops for parents and setting up the Kuckel-Reynolds Family Endowed Scholarship at the University of St. Joseph.

Rosemary was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church in Simsbury, from her Baptism in 1940 to her funeral Mass in 2017. She was an active member of the parish throughout her life, serving in several different capacities, including as a teacher of religious education, secretary of the parish council and most recently as a lector at Mass.

On July 8, 1967, St. Mary's was also the site of her wedding to James Reynolds, with whom she spent nearly 50 joyful years of marriage. Together they enjoyed many adventures: afternoons in the pool, musicals at The Bushnell, family reunions, Wiffle ball, educational family trips and leisurely vacations to the Connecticut shoreline, Charleston, SC, or Fort Myers, FL. They would always strive to make connections with family and friends on each vacation. At home, she spent countless joy-filled hours with their grandchildren -- attending sporting events and music recitals, visiting museums, baking, mini golfing and making a significant dent in the area's ice cream supply!

Rosemary also had a 25-year association with Boy Scouting, spending 22 of those years preparing scouts to receive their Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei religious awards. She is a former treasurer for Simsbury Little League and former assistant softball coach at Simsbury High School. In her retirement, she spent 10 years presenting reading programs for residents at McLean in Simsbury and at the time of her death, she had returned to a school setting, serving as a volunteer reading tutor at Central Elementary School in Simsbury, as it was her desire to give back to the school district that had given so much to her.

In addition to her husband Jim, she is survived by their two sons and daughters-in-law -- James (Jr.) and Diane Reynolds of Simsbury; and Stephen and Alina Reynolds of Fairfield; her four grandchildren whom she adored and of whom she was immensely proud: Kelly and Benjamin Reynolds of Simsbury; and David and Jack Reynolds of Fairfield. She is also survived by her three brothers: Benjamin Jr. and Raynelle Kuckel of Colorado Springs, Gary Rawlings and Arleen Ericksen of Fort Myers, FL, and George and Pinny Kuckel of Deansboro, NY. She also leaves a cherished extended family which includes Cherilynn Watterson, Jane Kuckel and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 29, from 4-7 pm at Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 30, at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury. Burial will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 575, Simsbury, CT 06070.