Harriet "Jeepie" C Rusch

Born July 13, 1935, in Sumter, SC, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence “Butch” Cuttino and Harriet Wescoat. Harriet died young and Butch later married Elinor Marquee. Convinced that she would share her mother’s fate, Jeepie was ever grateful that she was able to grow old with her husband and see her children grow up. She received a Bachelor of Education from Lander University and became a kind, nurturing elementary school teacher that cried when her students left at the end of the school year.

She accomplished a goal to teach in her “dream” big city of Charleston, SC, and lived on Catfish Row. There she met the love of her life – Clifford H. Rusch – a dashing Yankee from New York. After Butch determined that he was indeed, a good man, Jeepie and Cliff married and lived on the Isle of Palms where they had their first daughter Kimberly. Soon after they relocated to West Hartford, CT, where their second daughter Melissa was born and Jeepie experienced the thrill – and chill – of real snow storms. From there they moved to Alexandria, VA, where their son Kevin was born. They lived in Alexandria for 25 years and made many life-long friends. After retiring, the South pulled them back to where they started and they moved to Pawleys Island, SC, where Cliff identified as an “honorary Southerner” but never mastered Jeepie’s gentle lilt. They enjoyed friends, family, tennis, eating out, traveling, volunteering, and a multitude of rescue pets.

Jeepie is survived by her daughter Kim Rusch (husband Norman Getsinger), daughter Melissa Rusch-Tidwell (husband Scott Tidwell) and son Kevin Rusch. She is also survived by seven beloved grandchildren: Norman Getsinger III, Kelsey Getsinger, Erin Getsinger, Trent Tidwell, Tess Tidwell, Jeremy Tidwell and Yeadon Tidwell.

A much loved sister, Frances Reid, preceded her in death.

The family will be holding a private celebration of life at a later date with some of her favorite gourmet treats like salty boiled peanuts and a little something sweet.

“I love dogs . . . I always have.” For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the animal shelter where Jeepie served on the board of directors and was a frequent adopter – St. Francis Animal Center, 125 N. Ridge St., Georgetown, SC 29440.