Isabel C. "Bel" (McCready) Kutz

Isabel C. "Bel" Kutz, 79, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday, March 21, at home with her family by her side.

Born April 3, 1941, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late John & Julia (Moore) McCready.

She was the loving wife of Charles Kutz.

Bel was a 1959 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, where she excelled in basketball.

She was a member and former CCD teacher at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Bel was employed by Van Heusen, Pottsville, the Pennsylvania Highway Department, Harrisburg, and lastly, for CVS Pharmacy (formerly Rea & Derick Drugs), Cressona Mall, where she retired after 30 years of employment.

In 1960, Bel was a "Kennedy Girl," campaigning in Pottsville and Harrisburg for John F. Kennedy. She was also the first Nativity Girls' Basketball Coach to win the Anthracite Catholic League, going undefeated with a 12-0 record in 1965.

Bel was an avid sports fan who loved watching Notre Dame Football, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Blue Mountain Eagles. But most of all, she loved cheering for all six grandchildren at any of their sporting events. She will be remembered for her kind and easy-going nature, her passion for all things "Irish" and above all else, her love of family.

In addition to her husband, Bel is survived by two daughters, Karen E. Barton and Karleen E., wife of Anthony Stramara, all of Pottsville; a son, Charles P., husband of Angela Kutz, of Pottsville; grandchildren, Tori and Dean Stramara, Jack Barton and Julia, Kylie and Lindsay Kutz; nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Isabel was preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Hahner, Rosemary Ashman, Dorothy Gardner, Mary Andrefski and Sheila Frantz; infant brother, John McCready; brother, Edward "Sonny" McCready.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25, at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. prior to Mass at the church. Interment will be privately held at the family's convenience.

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