Jean Kazy Kusnierz OBITUARY
Jean Kazy Kusnierz, beloved wife of Nes Kusnierz, passed away surrounded by her family and love, at the age of 76, following an 18-month battle with breast cancer. In a poetic, full circle moment, 56 years to the very weekend that our parents promised to be together "til death do us part," they broke that vow when our mom left this world and joined our dad in the next. Their love story and enduring marriage were an inspiration to us all, and though they came to an earthly end all too soon with our father's passing in June 2019, he was always "my Marine," and she "my brown-eyed girl."Jean was born on March 29, 1948 in Youngstown, OH, the second daughter and youngest child of John and Irene (Cecko) Kazy. Her extended family was a large one, and our mom shared with us fond memories of times spent with many cousins, aunts, and uncles at holiday dinners, family reunions, and vacations at the lake. Our mom attended Holy Name Grammar School and Ursuline High School in Youngstown, before moving with her parents and sister across the country, settling in Pasadena. She graduated from St. Andrews High School in 1966 where she made many dear, lifelong friendsthen spent two years at St. Vincent's Nursing College before deciding that nursing wasn't her calling.Our mom's true calling was dedicating her life and attention to her family, and her many, many friends. What gave her (and us) comfort during this difficult year and a half was the outpouring of love and support from those spanning all eras and circles of her life, a testament to her boundless generosity. Our mom never let any occasion go unmarked without a card, or any holiday uncelebrated. Her love of the Christmas season was unrivaled and her cookie platters were legendaryyear after year, she started baking months in advance and ran a veritable assembly line packaging up platters, with our dad doing wrapping duties. This year, she never took down the tree, with it becoming first a Valentine's tree, then an Easter one, and finally a tribute to Independence Day, with ornaments to match. It brought herand all who visited-a spark of joy.Above all, our mom was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother, who would doand often didanything for the family she loved so fiercely; her death leaves a void in our lives that will never quite be filled. Jean is survived by her three daughters, Lynn Kusnierz (Mark Compton), Jennifer Kim (Charlie), and Laura Bromley (Noah); her six grandchildren, Geoffrey, Lauren, Cole, Cassie, Tyson, and Eleanor; and her sister, Elayne Kazy Kester. In addition to her beloved husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a reunion she fervently looked forward to in her final days.A funeral mass will be held at 12:00pm on Monday, September 23 at Annunciation Church in Arcadia, followed by a graveside service at Live Oak Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, our mom requested that donations be made to institutions close to her heart: the City of Hope, Loyola Marymount University, St. Francis High School, Bishop Amat Memorial High School, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We want to thank everyone who has been there for our mom and our family during this difficult time, with a special note of appreciation for Erica and Wayne of Assisted Hospice Care.
