Patricia A. La Susa

Patricia and our late father, Joseph, modeled fierce love, strength, and devotion to everyone in their lives. Kevin carried that legacy forward. His selfless love allowed her to remain at home, surrounded by family, and we are forever grateful for the comfort he brought to her final years.

Pat was born in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of the late Albert and Viola Kirsch. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph La Susa; her brother, Michael Kirsch; her nephew, Mark Kirsch; and her grandnephew, Riley Kirsch.

She is survived by her children, Michael La Susa, Deborah Griffin and her husband, Chris, and Kevin La Susa; her grandchildren, Karissa Griffin, Jared Griffin and his wife, Elyse, Colin Griffin, Nicholas La Susa, and Michael La Susa Jr.; her sister-in-law, Joyce Kirsch; and a long list of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The center of our mother’s life was the love of her life, her husband Joe. The two met over green beer on St. Patrick’s Day in 1961. Both were students at the University of Dayton, where Pat studied part-time while also teaching a third-grade class of 50 students at a Catholic school. Pat would later tell us that she knew that very day that she had found her soulmate. It was the luckiest St. Patrick’s Day of her life. They shared nearly 58 years of marriage until Joe's passing in 2020, and their life together was epic in so many large and small ways. Through everything, they were a team.

After Joe graduated, the couple moved back to New York before Pat had finished her degree. Determined that she would finish, Joe wrote to the University of Dayton as a new alumnus and convinced them to let her complete her studies by mail, long before anyone had heard of distance learning. For years, she received her assignments through the post and sent back her work. When their third child, Kevin, was a toddler, she packed him up, traveled back to Dayton, and took all of her remaining finals.

Pat's greatest passion was her family, and she set an example of love and hard work that her children and grandchildren carry with them today. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, quick to laugh and always stylish, never without the perfect accessory. A consummate host, she could put anyone at ease with a warm smile and a bit of sage advice. She was endlessly generous and patient, and she accepted people just as they were. Pat loved the warm sun and long walks on the beach in search of sea glass, and she was always ready for a game of tennis or pickleball. She and Joe loved making pizza and homemade limoncello together and cheering on the Duke Blue Devils. Nothing made them happier than having everyone together around the table.

Pat was also a modern woman long before it was common, building a career she was deeply proud of while raising her children. Her first job was writing ads, jingles, and community highlights for WGHQ in Kingston, NY. When the new Hudson Valley Mall opened, at a time when malls were becoming a growing center of community life, she took the position of marketing manager, running community events and promoting the mall and its merchants, and was eventually named manager of the mall itself. From there, she became Director of the Community Rehabilitation Center (CRC). There she dedicated her leadership skills to advocacy and care for vulnerable populations. Her work as a leader for the CRC Foundation directly supported programs providing vital therapies, training, and independent living resources for disabled children and adults across Mid Hudson Valley. Her professional legacy in the Hudson Valley is anchored by her next role as the director of the Kingston Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Pat was a driving force behind the area's economic growth during the 1990s. As Director, she served as a mentor, strategist, and guide to hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs. With her guidance, countless local dreams became lasting brick-and-mortar businesses, and her impact can still be seen along the streets of Ulster County. Pat and Joe's community service began with their work supporting the restoration of the Saugerties Gristmill. A devoted advocate for civic engagement and an informed electorate, Pat later served with distinction as the President of the League of Women Voters of Ulster County. She believed deeply in the power of the vote and gave countless hours to organizing nonpartisan candidate debates, leading voter registration drives, and ensuring that every voice in New York’s Ulster County, and later in Florida’s Martin County, had the opportunity to be heard. Pat and Joe radiated goodwill, service, and community spirit. It showed in their public work and, just as much, in the way they cared for the people closest to them.

This warmth earned them lifelong friends across the globe and opened doors to incredible adventures, from exploring the Greek Isles by sailboat to navigating nearly all of the Bahamian islands by yacht. In their later years, they continued to give back by volunteering at a local marina in Martin County, helping with regional sailing competitions. Through tennis, pickleball, and the sailing community, they built a wonderful circle of Florida friends.

From the day they met until the end, their time together was devoted to the family they loved and the communities they cherished. They will live on in the hearts of many, until we meet again.

A Memorial Service will be held at Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel, 6801 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34997, on October 24, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Reception at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Fernhill Memorial Gardens 1501 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL 34994, on October 24, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.