Carol Rose Carr Kusnetzky, 90, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on Dec. 29.
She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to her parents Joseph and Marsha Carr. As an only child, she always yearned for a brother or sister. Thankfully, she grew up with grandparents whom she adored, and plenty of aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved dearly. When World War II broke out, she and other Girl Scouts collected paper and metal scraps for the war effort. She entered Paseo High School at the age of 12 and graduated high school at age 16.
As a teenager, she participated in BBG and made friendships which have endured for more than seven decades. When her children, Sheryl Flieder and Steve Flieder, were growing up, she did volunteer work for Women’s American ORT and other organizations, sold Avon cosmetics door-to-door, and made sure her children had the advantages of a solid education and every possible enrichment activity. She was a life-long member of Congregation Beth Shalom, where her children attended religious school and became b’nai mitzvah.
When she married Leon Kusnetzky in 1978, they made the perfect couple. Using her strong people skills, Carol was able to blend two disparate families together as one. There was no such word as “stepson” or “stepdaughter” in Carol’s vocabulary. Leon’s children were hers, and hers were his, with no difference. The brothers and sisters on both sides continue to be close.
Together with Leon, she planned get-togethers at the Lake of the Ozarks throughout the year, including their combined children, mutual friends and her parents. She enjoyed live musical theater.
Whenever Leon went out of town on business trips, she always accompanied him. For pleasure, Carol and Leon traveled to places such as Spain, Scandinavia, Italy and Israel, and they relished the opportunity to meet new friends on the way. Her most treasured times were celebrating family milestones of children and grandchildren, such as births, birthdays, b’nai mitzvah celebrations and weddings.
Carol was always friendly, generous and kind to every person she met. As a breast cancer survivor, she led a breast cancer support group. She worked as a bookkeeper in Leon’s law office. Following Leon’s death, she sponsored and promoted the Heartland Credit Union Charitable Foundation Fund for small credit unions. As an active adult, Carol played bridge, mahjong and pan with friends, participated in tap dancing classes and took master classes in Jewish studies with Rabbi Margolis at Congregation Beth Shalom. Carol bravely faced several other health challenges over the years with an informed yet upbeat, positive attitude.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Kusnetzky, and their daughter, Laura Morissette. She is survived by her children, Dan Kusnetzky (Anne) of Canandaigua, New York; Tom Kusnetzky (Shawn) of Overland Park, Kansas; Sheryl Flieder Rattner (Martin) of Los Altos, California; and Steve Flieder Carr (Diane) of Aurora, Colorado; and grandchildren Marcy (Steven), Evan, Jamie, Ryan, Amanda (Rhyan), Briana and Emily (Marissa). The family would also like to acknowledge Carol’s wonderful caregivers Dawn, Jo Ann, Kelsi, Pat, Jessica, Stella and Carol, who have given such loving care for the past two years to enable Carol to live a happy and independent life.
The funeral service for Carol Kusnetzky was held on Jan. 2 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The family asks for donations to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund, American ORT, Hadassah or the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
