Mary Kushner

Mary Kushner, 91, of Bethlehem, PA died on Monday, May 9, 2011. Born in Van Voorhis, PA on May 17, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Dziaba Hedish. She was preceded in death in 1990 by her husband of 50 years, William.

Mary was a unique, strong-willed, curious, articulate, and independent person. She was brought up in the coal regions of Pennsylvania and moved to Allentown as a young woman. She worked at the silk mills, where she met her future husband. During WWII she worked at the Bethlehem Steel Company. Later, she worked for 28 years at Champion Spark Plug Company in Hellertown, where she was active in the union. She sang in the Bethlehem Bach Choir for 22 years; was a great cook and baker, especially of kiffles, paska, pierogi, and halupki; always stayed interested in, and liked to discuss, current events, especially politics; and had a long time interest in understanding people as an accomplished astrologer. She was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Bethlehem where she sang in the choir for 20 years. Her children and grandchildren inherited her interest in music, some professionally, all seriously. She had a very special relationship with each of her grandchildren. She especially cherished the nine years she lived in Minnesota where grandsons Daniel and Michael enjoyed her company, learning from her insight and experience, while being spoiled with air-conditioning, cable TV, and grandmotherly affection.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Karen Jim Forbess Kushner of Mahtomedi, MN; and Sandra Hugh Guilford of Prestwood, England; grandchildren, Christopher Sattinger of Berlin, Germany; Daniel Forbess of Seattle, WA; and Michael Forbess of White Bear Lake, MN; sisters, Martha Wagner and Helen Rizzotto, both of Allentown; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Billie, and brother, Stephen Hedish.

A viewing will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011, from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, 980 Bridle Path Rd., Bethlehem. A funeral service will follow beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery in Hellertown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place, Bethlehem, PA 18017; The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 E. 56th St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022; or the Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 South 12th St., Allentown, PA 18103.