Rev. Kathleen Addison (née Pyszko) died at her home on November 5th, with her beloved dog Blaise in her arms. Kathleen took great pleasure in soaking up the sun. She walked miles each day after retiring to Florida, following her career as a minister in the United Church of Canada. Kathleen was a unique woman who loved art and politics. Her life was defined by a commitment to peace and social justice, a fact she credited to her childhood teachers, the Catholic nuns in Lynn, MA, who brought her to a civil rights march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr—a formative experience.
As an active war resister during the Vietnam war, Kathleen ended up in Ontario, Canada, where she raised four sons while studying for the ministry. She is remembered for throwing special birthday parties, knitting beautiful baby clothes (now worn by two generations of Addison babies), her patient and fun spirit with children, and being an open minded, supportive listener. In her retirement, she volunteered as an election day worker in Pinellas county and with her faith community at Church of the Isles.
Kathleen walked, extremely slowly, to the beat of her own drum. She was messy and chaotic, yet the lesson in her example was to prioritize life’s simple but important pleasures: reading, painting, walking, contributing to the life of her community, and connecting with loved ones, whom she accepted on their own terms.
Kathleen is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Arlene Pyszko. She is fondly remembered by her sons Marc, Peter (Amy), Lincoln (Christina), John-Luke (Michelle); grandchildren Geordy, Hayden, Naomi, Sam, and Casey; brother Frank; nephews Chris (Bree) and Tim; great-niece Shay, an extended family and friend network, and her community at Church of the Isles.
A very special thanks to Rev. Wesley Snedecker, who showed Kathleen and our family exceptional support in the final years of her life.
Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations in Kathleen’s memory to Church of the Isles: https://churchoftheisles.org/giving.
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As an active war resister during the Vietnam war, Kathleen ended up in Ontario, Canada, where she raised four sons while studying for the ministry. She is remembered for throwing special birthday parties, knitting beautiful baby clothes (now worn by two generations of Addison babies), her patient and fun spirit with children, and being an open minded, supportive listener. In her retirement, she volunteered as an election day worker in Pinellas county and with her faith community at Church of the Isles.
Kathleen walked, extremely slowly, to the beat of her own drum. She was messy and chaotic, yet the lesson in her example was to prioritize life’s simple but important pleasures: reading, painting, walking, contributing to the life of her community, and connecting with loved ones, whom she accepted on their own terms.
Kathleen is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Arlene Pyszko. She is fondly remembered by her sons Marc, Peter (Amy), Lincoln (Christina), John-Luke (Michelle); grandchildren Geordy, Hayden, Naomi, Sam, and Casey; brother Frank; nephews Chris (Bree) and Tim; great-niece Shay, an extended family and friend network, and her community at Church of the Isles.
A very special thanks to Rev. Wesley Snedecker, who showed Kathleen and our family exceptional support in the final years of her life.
Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations in Kathleen’s memory to Church of the Isles: https://churchoftheisles.org/giving.
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