Michelle Cuccias-Weidenbach, of Massapequa, died at the age of 46 on Tuesday, Oct. 1, according to her obituary.
While an official cause of death was not given, her uncle, Tommy Cuccias, said on Facebook that the special education teacher at the Baldwin School District “did not wake up on Tuesday.”
“Although there is too many to mention that are crushed by this, I can't stop thinking about her 3 beautiful children,” Cuccias said. “There is so much more to say, but too many tears right now. We are all completely devastated.”
Cuccias-Weidenbach graduated from Massapequa High School before studying special education at SUNY Plattsburgh. She later attended Hofstra University, where she studied health education.
Prior to teaching in the Baldwin School District, she worked at both Nassau BOCES and New York City Public Schools.
Among the many social media tributes to Cuccias-Weidenbach was one from Bettina Clermont Saad, who remembered her as “the ultimate hockey mom," in a post on the Long Island Hockey Parents Facebook group.
“Michele was a great friend to many, a teacher for many years and most importantly, an amazing mom to her three children,” reads another tribute from Beth Kwiecinski Wendel. “Our hearts are beyond broken but we will do whatever we can to wrap our collective arms around the Weidenbach family.”
A GoFundMe campaign to help the Weidenbach family with memorial and other expenses had raised over $63,000 as of Monday, Oct. 7. Those who wish to donate can do so here.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at St. Rose of Lima RC Church in Massapequa.
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