Aileen O'Riordan Kuss

Aileen O’Riordan Kuss, 100 years young, passed from her earthly life on October 8, 2024. Born in Derby, Connecticut, Aileen grew up in Islip, New York, then moved to New York City to pursue modeling and acting. She studied theater at Hunter College and had a diverse career, including working as an in-store model at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and as an executive assistant at the Jofa textile company. Her longest running endeavor (20+ years) was as principal actress for the Arena Players Repertory Theatre of Long Island. She created characters as varied as Miss Marple to Miss Jean Brodie, and even Mrs. Claus.

Aileen married Charles Thomas Kuss in June of 1953 in the Lady Chapel of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, and they enjoyed 64 years and many moves during their marriage. They lived throughout the United States from coast to coast, including Long Island, Santa Barbara, Vashon Island, and eventually picturesque Dennis, Cape Cod. In her retirement Aileen enjoyed both camaraderie and purpose as a longtime volunteer of the Dennis Memorial Library (also 100 years in 2024).

Aileen was predeceased by Charles, and her beloved son Christopher Jon Kuss. She is survived by her children Candace Marie Kuss, Charles Thomas Kuss Jr. (and his wife Ann Marie), and Sarah Marie Garber (and her husband Tharon Louis); her grandchildren, Sky Christian Kuss (and his fiancé Teresa Raniere), Christina Marie Kuss, and Tharon James Garber; and her greatgrandchild Violet Angelica Kuss.

Her final days were eased by the warm presence of her family, the amazing care of Ava Walker, and the expert services of the McCarthy Care Center. A memorial mass for Aileen will be held at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church in Brewster on Friday November 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. To honor Aileen’s decades of volunteerism at the Dennis Memorial Library, please consider a gift of time or funds to your local library.