Karol Lynn Cocchi

She was born on March 14, 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois where she spent her first 4 years before moving to the Tacoma, Washington area.

Most of her life in the Tacoma area was spent on farms where her love of animals flourished. In 1960 she met Jack Cocchi and 2 years later they were married. They recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary. They moved to Santa Clara, California in 1963 where they had 3 children. Karol’s love of horses and dogs prompted a move to San Martin and eventually to Hollister where she spent the last 39 years living on 3 acres with her husband and menagerie of horses, dogs, cats and chickens.

Karol worked as school bus driver for Morgan Hill Unified School District and then for the San Benito High School. She retired from bus driving in the late 1980’s.

She was actively involved in showing horses at AQHA shows in the Western Pleasure and Trail classes. She also performed Board of Director duties on the PCQHA board in the 1990’s. Her favorite horses were Cool Brew, Irrezippable (Shelby) and Chocolatemakesmelazy (Sarah, Shelby’s daughter). Shelby and Sarah will be moved to Paso Robles where they will be under the care of Karol’s daughter and son-in-law and will enjoy life on a beautiful 42-acre ranch.

Karol was preceded in death by her mother Enid Kreidler, father Armas Olave Yrttima, step-father Myron Kreidler and brother-in-law Robert Sather.

She is survived by her husband Jack Cocchi, children Rhonna Dias, Craig Cocchi and Robyn Schiller. Also by her daughter and sons in laws, Fey Datu-Cocchi, Mark Dias and Warwick Schiller as well as her grandchildren Dayna Dias, Mimi Dias and Tyler Schiller. Along with great-grandchildren Everleigh, Kayson, Brayden and Nolan. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Sather and brothers Burt & Marc Kreidler as well as many brother and sister in laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family would like to thank Central Coast VNA Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Karol in her final weeks.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Lone Tree Events, 1192 Lone Tree Road, Hollister, CA on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 1pm.