Patricia A. Kuskye, 88, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021 at Signature Healthcare of Bremen.
Born on March 27, 1933 in Elgin, Illinois she was the daughter of Newton and Hazel (Palmer) Averill. She attended Plymouth Lincoln High School. On November 12, 1950 she married Ralph Kuskye in Plymouth, he survives.
Patricia was a gifted musician who taught piano for 14 years at Shemberger’s Music and also played the organ for 30 years for First United Church of Christ. Patricia also worked for Bottorff Chiropractic as a receptionist. She loved to travel to local and national parks as well as out west to the mountains. She was an avid reader, loved animals, playing cards and enjoyed cross-stitching. Known as one of the most gentle, kindest and faithful people that you would ever know. She was always full of love and laughter and would speak from her heart.
She is survived by her husband Ralph of Plymouth; son Ralph (Donna) Kuskye Jr. of Plymouth; daughter Charlotte Harley of Plymouth; grandchildren: Nicole (Todd) Klemp of Indianapolis; Ryan Lamunion of Bourbon; Danny Harley of Ashville, NC; Dan Knowlton of Walkerton; Ryan Knowlton of Walkerton; 10 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Robert Averill and Richard Averill.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 2-3 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. A memorial service will immediately follow with Rev. Charles Krieg, officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Marshall County Humane Society, 1165 13th Rd. Plymouth, IN 46563.
Marilyn Byers says
Sending love and prayers on the loss of your mother, Char. I’m so very sorry. She was a wonderful lady.
Charlotte A Harley says
Thank you Marilyn. Don’t know where you are now, but let me know will you please. Hope your life is marvelous! Love, Char
Marilyn Byers says
I’m live in Argos and work in Plymouth. 935-8628.
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder says
Princess and family,
We are so very sorry, about the loss, of your sweet, sweet mother.
Sincerely,
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder
Charlotte A Harley says
Bevie and Rennie, thank you so much for your kindness. Sweet, sweet mother indeed. Always your princess….
Terrie Davis says
Ralph,
Sorry for the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you and your family. 🙏🙏🙏
Charlotte A Harley says
On behalf of my brother and my family thank you for thoughts and prayers for us.
George Holzwart says
Sue and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife/mother, your family will be in our prayers. George Holzwart
Charlotte A Harley says
Sue and George, thank you for your kindness and for your presence in our lives in years past. Never forgotten. Love, Charlotte, Ralph and Dad
Diane Kuskye says
Ralph Sr., Ralph and Charlotte I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Very talented and always smiling. Rest in peace Pat you’ll be missed.
Charlotte A Harley says
Diane, thank you for your caring of us at this time. Wasn’t Mommy amazing…we have been blessed to have her, our rock, our gentle presence. Her memorial will be a beautiful thing– classical music and pictures of her throughout her life. Love, Char
Donna Taber Whitmer says
Dear Ralph, Char & Ralph Jr.
Sympathy and prayers to you and your family at this sad time. Pat was my forever neighbor and a sweet lady. I will remember her always…💕
Charlotte A Harley says
Thank you Donna. Hope you are feeling better! Your kind words of Momma mean a great deal. Her memorial will be full of classical music, flowers, and pictures of her taken throughout her life. Take care please. Char
Nancy Holtzman says
Our condolences to Uncle Ralph, Cousins Ralph, Charlotte and to their families in the loss of a wonderful Lady. Rest in Peace Aunt Pat.
Charlotte A Harley says
Nancy, thank you. She was wonderful and we were blessed to have her. She will always be with us, she is the heart of us. Take care and hope to see you. Charlotte
ricki garrison says
Uncle Ralph, Ralphie and Charlotte , I am so sorry for your loss. Aunt Pat was the most sweetest and gentle souls I have ever know. My you all find comfort in knowing she is at peace in heaven now . Hold on to all the wonderful memories you have had with her. She will be missed by many. Love you all, Ricki
Charlotte A Harley says
Ricki, you know how I feel. Thank you for your lovely words and hope to see you and Momma’s celebration, it will be beautiful. Classical music, flowers, pictures… Love, Char
Sue Johnson Filley says
Charlotte and family,
My deepest condolences to you at this heartbreaking time. I wish you peace and comfort and am keeping you in my thoughts.
Sue Johnson Filley
Charlotte A Harley says
Sue, so kind of you. Momma was the best ever, in all ways. We are looking forward to her memorial, it will be joyous, full of her classical music, and pictures of her life. She is loved by many.
Loved seeing you in August, beautiful as ever.
Charlotte
Ray Uhlig says
Char, Ralph, & Ralph Jr. Your mother/wife was my first piano teacher at Shemberger’s music store. I think I tested her patience as her student. What an amazing kind and gentle woman she was. I ‘m sure she’ll be greatly missed by all who knew her. We’re keeping you and your family in our thoughts prayers at this difficult time. R.I.P. Pat.
Ray
Charlotte A Harley says
Ray, thank you for your words. I didn’t know you were a student of Mom’s. She was, truly, always as you knew her, both at home and in her professional life. Loving, patient, gentle and kind. Never a criticism for anyone. Beloved.
Take care of you and yours,
Charlotte
Jim and Cathy Phend says
Dear Ralph and Donna, Jim and I are so very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a sweet, kind woman and no doubt will be missed by all of you. Keeping you in our thoughts. Sending our love, Jim and Cathy
Ralph Kuskye Jr says
Jim & Cathy,
Thanks so much for your kind words. The family appreciates
them very much.
Ralph Jr.
Pamela (Mitchell) Oller says
I always knew her as Mrs. Kuskye. She taught me my first piano lessons when I was 5-8 years old. Her legacy lives on…..I have taught piano lessons for over 45 years. I also have played and accompanied for many churches, directed choirs and musicals, and played many piano solos. ……I play piano and sing frequently currently in Gilbert, AZ at Sonrise Assembly of God. Many of my students through the years play for their churches, schools, and for their own enjoyment thanks to the love of music instilled in me early on by Mrs. Kuskye.
Charlotte A Harley says
Pamela, thank you for your lovely words and wonderful testament to our mother. It is such a joy to hear of these inspirations that her life and love of music contributed to. Dad, Ralph Jr and I sincerely treasure this message.
Charlotte
Roger G LaMunion says
Charlotte, Ralph Jr., and Ralph Sr. You were lucky to have her as a Mother and Wife. She was pleasant and talented. Always a pleasure to be around. She loved her children, husband, her music and much more. She will be missed, and live deep in our memories. Hang in there.
Charlotte A Harley says
Roger, this is so kind of you. You spent a significant amount of time in Momma’s life, and as you say, always kind words to all. Our son is coping relatively well– he has incredible recall about time spent with Mom in his very young life; he was the first grandchild and she and Dad doted on him. I am glad that is how he will always remember her. Take care of you.
Charlotte
Roger LaMunion says
Thank you. Ryan really does have an incredible detailed memory of things. Scarlet’s daughter Tammy once said to me that everyone knows Ryan was their favorite grandson. He has good memories of her as we all do. I plan on being at the funeral services. I am doing okay. Take care of yourself. I know events leading up to this and this too have been terribly hard on you and Ralphy.
Charlotte A Harley says
I don’t think I would rely on others’ knowledge of my parents’ preferences, Roger. First grandchildren always have a special place, but they love them all equally.
Roger G LaMunion says
I am sure they do. Sorry for that comment. Hope tomorrow goes well.
Linda (Troyer) Starr says
I knew Pat through her mother, Hazel, who worked at Montgomery Ward when my mother worked there!
My sympathy to Ralph and her family who mourn her.
May you remember her with fond stories!
Charlotte A Harley says
Linda, how kind of you to send this condolence. I spent many a time skipping up the stairs to see my Grandma Hazel and I loved Wards and the people who worked there. My Momma is dearly loved and so is my Grandma Hazel. What memories my brother and I fondly have. Such wonderful times, the best of my childhood. So heart-warming to hear from someone who experienced the same. Thank you.
Charlotte
Linda Starr says
Dear Charlotte,
Wards was so much a part of my life! My dad worked there pre-war. Mom worked in receiving with Gordon Snyder before managing the shoe department! I worked as an extra in my high school days and my husband worked there too!
So many memories of so many good people!
Thanks for your letting me go down memory lane!!
Jean Lemler says
Dear Char and Ralph,
Seeing your Mom’s picture brought back many fond memories of spending time at your house, while riding my bike on Goshen Trail. The obit was so nicely written, described your Mom just as I remembered her. I am sorry for your loss, thinking of you as you go thru these days. My sympathy is with you, you had a great Mom.
Jean (Price) Lemler
Charlotte A Harley says
Jeanie, hello and thank you so much for your kindness and memories of my dear Mom. It was a great trip down the olden Goshen Trail, best bike trips ever. Love and best wishes to you and your family.
Charlotte
Dave Kubley says
To the Kuskye family, I offer my sincere condolences. Mrs. Kuskye was my piano teacher for many years, and I owe her a great debt of gratitude for developing my love of music. She had a very gentle way of teaching and allowed us to play the music that interested us. I will appreciate her always. Also, Mrs. Averill was one of our favorite baby sitters when our parents were out of town. She was so nice and took wonderful care of all of us. Sincerely, Dave Kubley
Charlotte A Harley says
Dave, thank you for your kind words of my mother and my grandmother. Wonderful ladies, both. My brother and I were blessed to be raised with Grandma Hazel and Grandma Granny, our great-grandmother, Sadie Palmer. Wonderful times, wonderful memories, all beloved women. Mom was gentle everywhere, with everyone; and so very gifted with music and an inspiration to her students. Again, our appreciation for your condolence.
Charlotte