It is with great sadness that belatedly we announce the death of Erma Lettie (Summarsell) Kucewicz (of Yonkers, New York), born in Holland, Vermont, who passed away on August 20, 2022, at the age of 98, leaving to mourn family and friends.
The inurnment of Erma’s remains will be held on Sunday, May 28th 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Silver Lake Cemetery (5935 VT Hwy 12, Barnard, Vermont 05031). A gathering will be held in a home in South Woodstock after the graveside service, details to be given out at the cemetery.
Erma passed away in Yonkers, NY after a short illness on August 20, 2022, at the age of 98, preceded in death by her former husband John C Kucewicz (January 2000) the father of her 3 children.
Erma was the last of her siblings to pass. She is survived by her three devoted children (and their spouses/significant others) John Casimir Jr of New Braunfels, Texas, daughter Deborah and son James of Yonkers, New York, grandchildren Jason, Hilary, Abby, and Denise, and (several) great-grandchildren of whom she inquired on regular occasions in the last years of her life. She is also survived by a sister-in-law (Carmen), brother-in-law (Roy), and numerous nieces, nephews, grand & great-nieces, and grand & great-nephews.
Erma was born and raised in Vermont, graduating from Hartford H.S. in 1944. While attending cosmetology school in Boston, Massachusetts she met and married John C Kucewicz in May 1950. Very shortly after the birth of their first son John Jr, she moved to Alaska with her husband John (Lieutenant in the US Army) as the Korean War raged and reserves were activated. Daughter Deborah was born on base in Fairbanks during the height of the war.
After the Armistice, Erma, John, and 2 young children drove through much of the U.S.A. stopping to see her brother Lyndall Summarsell (WWII Airforce Retired at the time) and his wife in Del Rio Texas on their way to Yonkers NY where son James was born, and where Erma was a resident since 1954.
Erma and her family spent many holidays with her parents Alfred and Margaret (Todd) Summarsell in Vermont, getting together with brothers Lyndall, Wayne, Percy, Richard, sister Nancy, and their spouses and families when they all could gather at glorious Thanksgiving, Christmas, Maple Sugar season and other occasions.
Erma also found time for in-laws in NY, NJ, Massachusetts, Florida, and elsewhere as much as busy lives allowed and she was a letter writer to the end. Erma was a licensed cosmetologist working in Bronxville, NY for decades building relationships with clients, coworkers (dearest friends Santa, Greta and Rita), and neighbors whose close friendships lasted throughout her lifetime.
She did her best to stay in touch with cousins and friends who moved about the country over the decades. There was always a place in her home for someone who needed a place to stay when life got hard. Erma had a green thumb for both indoor and outdoor plants and gardens and was always ready to cook for an “army” even up to May of the year she passed away.
There is so very much more to tell about Erma’s life and we hope those of you who are able to can attend the graveside service and interment of Erma’s remains in Barnard, Vermont on May 28, 2023, 11 AM-Noon.
Family, and friends of the family may inquire as to specifics at 830-885-4555 or jkoosh50@yahoo.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center can be made in her honor by contacting Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org) or by calling 866-815-9501 (toll free). We especially appreciate the help Erma received from her Daughter-in-law Sharon Kucewicz R.N. MSN, very close family friend Pat Sarno, the City of Yonkers Paramedics, and St, John’s Riverside Hospital of Yonkers.
