Helen Margaret Sullenger Kansa

Helen Margaret Sullenger Kansa was born March 12, 1920, in Cullman, AL. She passed away peacefully at home on September 17, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Kansa; mother, Amy Ionia Groover Sullenger; Father, Guy Edward Sullenger; and her siblings, Edith Ellen Sullenger, Guy Edward Sullenger, Mildred Jane Sullenger Randle, Janette Maxine Sullenger McGriff, Mary Imelda Sullenger Douglas, and Samuel George Sullenger. Survivors include her daughter, Debora Kansa Sillman and son-in-law Kenneth Sillman, of Jacksonville, FL; a second daughter, Dolores Jeanne Kansa, passed away less than 9 hours after her Mother. She is also survived by numerous loved nephews and nieces. Margaret had a life-long career in nursing and served as RN Second Lieutenant during WW II in the Philippines and received three separate medals of honor. Margaret continued her studies in nursing in Dade County, FL and earned a BSN from the University of Miami. Margaret taught Operating Room Technique at Miami Dade College, where she met her special life long friend Eileen Scurio. Eileen and her husband Gene remained best friends with Mother until Mother’s passing. Mother then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton FL. and taught OB/GYN at Barry College in Miami Shores. After her husband passed away, she returned to Cullman where she participated in the care of her Mother along with her 3 sisters for several years. She also became quickly active back in her community. She was a founding member of the Empty Bowls Charity Dinner and served on the Cullman Train Depot Restoration Project. Until the decline of her health, Margaret was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, particularly the Lutheran Women’s group. She traveled as often as she could abroad with nursing class mates and in the states often accompanied by her sisters Mary and Janette. She was an avid lover of crochet and provided many gifts to her family of homemade afghans. Her favorite hobby of 45 years was throwing clay pottery. She was quite adept and taught a pottery class at Wallace State University when an instructor became ill. Her handmade pottery pieces were a favorite gift at Christmas for all of the family members. She loved being with family and her home was the site of many Sullenger gatherings for over three decades, including the annual Sullenger Christmas Party. Her friends and family will miss her deeply and cherished her love and kindness over the years. The family is having a private Celebration of Life service and in lieu of cards and flowers are requesting that donations be made to Alacare Home Health Hospice, 407 4th Ave. S.W., Cullman AL 35055.

Helen Margaret Sullenger Kansa

March 12, 1920 - September 17, 2018