The world has lost a beacon of hope and a champion of suicide prevention. Kim Ruocco, a member of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, after a brave fight against Scleroderma. Known for her tireless efforts in supporting military families and raising awareness about mental health, Ruocco was a true heroine who touched many lives with her compassion and courage.
A Devastating Loss
Kim Ruocco was the widow of United States Marine Major John Ruocco, who died by suicide at age 40 in 2005. John was an incredible husband, son, father to their two boys, and Marine. He was dedicated and passionate in everything he did. He flew the Cobra helicopter and the T-37 jet for the military. He was a respected leader to his troops, who provided comic relief when everyone needed a laugh, as well as a steady hand and leadership in times of combat and operational stress.
John suffered from untreated depression and post-traumatic stress after flying 75 combat missions in Iraq. He returned home a different man, withdrawn, agitated, and sullen. He had nightmares and could not sleep, and he struggled to reconnect with his family. He started having trouble concentrating and flying the aircraft that he knew so well. He failed a routine flight test soon after his return from combat.
Kim and John talked about getting help, but John feared that people would lose respect for him or think he was faking. He felt responsible for his junior Marines and their families. He also felt guilty for surviving when many of his friends died in military training accidents and in combat. He carried these tragic scars as personal failures on his psyche.
On January 29, 2005, John hanged himself in a hotel room near Camp Pendleton in California while awaiting redeployment to Iraq. Kim was devastated by the loss of her husband and the father of her children. She felt alone, confused, and angry. She wondered why and how John’s suicide had happened; what she missed and what she could have done differently; how to renavigate her faith after her Church told her that John had gone to hell for killing himself; how to cope with the shame and the guilt and the stigma of suicide; how to honor John’s life and service rather than his death.
A Beacon of Hope
Kim Ruocco turned to TAPS for help. TAPS is a military service organization that offers peer support and grief resources to families and loved ones of those who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of that service, at no cost to the survivors. Kim attended their annual Memorial Day kids’ camp weekend and adult healing seminar. Each child at TAPS camp is matched one-on-one with an active duty volunteer service member. Kim’s sons, Joey and Billy, who were 8 and 10-years-old at the time, found comfort and connection with their mentors.
Kim, however, felt isolated and alone at the seminar. She realized that suicide was a whole other kind of death and grief, and that she needed to find others who understood her unique pain and challenges. She went to Bonnie Carroll, the president and founder of TAPS, and asked her to create a program specifically for suicide survivors. Bonnie agreed, and Kim became the Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention for TAPS.
Ruocco dedicated her life to helping other military families who lost their loved ones to suicide. She created a network of peer mentors, counselors, and experts who could provide emotional support, practical guidance, and resources to the survivors. She also advocated for policy changes and increased funding for suicide prevention and mental health care for service members and veterans. She testified before Congress, spoke at national and international conferences, and collaborated with various organizations and agencies to raise awareness and reduce stigma. She was a voice for the voiceless, a hope for the hopeless, and a light for the darkness.
Kim also pursued her education and earned a BA in Human Services and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University. She used her knowledge and skills to help others heal and grow from their trauma and loss. She was a firm believer in post-traumatic growth, the idea that people can find meaning and purpose after adversity. She inspired many people with her resilience and optimism.
READ ALSO:- Pita Kotobalavu Death and Obituary: Founder and Lead Singer of Unity The Band, Passes Away
Kim Ruocco Obituary, and Death
Ruocco was diagnosed with Scleroderma, a rare and chronic autoimmune disease that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. The disease can also affect the internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and digestive system. There is no cure for Scleroderma, and the treatment options are limited and often ineffective.
Kim faced her illness with the same courage and determination that she faced everything else in her life. She did not let it stop her from fulfilling her mission and serving others. She continued to work for TAPS, travel, speak, and advocate. She also participated in clinical trials and research studies to help find a cure and improve the quality of life for people with Scleroderma. She was a role model and a leader for the Scleroderma community.
Kim Ruocco passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 51 years old. She leaves behind her two sons, Joey and Billy, who are now 27 and 29-years-old, and who have followed their father’s footsteps and joined the military. She also leaves behind her parents, siblings, and countless people who loved and admired her.
A Legacy of Love
Ruocco was a remarkable woman who made a difference in the world. She turned her personal tragedy into a powerful force for good. She helped thousands of people cope with their grief and find hope and healing. She saved lives and changed lives. She was a hero to many and a friend to all.
Kim’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her and those who benefited from her work. She will always be remembered as a beacon of hope, a champion of suicide prevention, and a source of inspiration. She will always be loved and missed.
Kim Ruocco died by suicide, but she lived by love. And love never dies.
