Louise A. Kanus

Louise A Kanus, 91, of Leeds, passed away peacefully March 11th in the care of hospice at Baystate Medical Center. She was born on January 13, 1933, in East Orange, New Jersey, the eldest child of the late Karl Kanus Sr and Catherine Becker Kanus. A lifelong educator, she taught elementary school in Bloomfield, New Jersey and Shaker Heights, Ohio. A graduate of New Jersey State Teachers College, Jersey City, NJ (now New Jersey City University) she went on to receive her master’s degree from Wesleyan University. For the remainder of her career, Louise worked in Boston as a grant administrator for the State Board of Library Commissioners. Louise was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Florence. Her interests were many. Travel found her in Europe, Alaska, and England. She volunteered at The Hospice Shop, Hampshire Music Club, led a local book club for many years, and provided transportation through the American Cancer Society’s “Road to Recovery” to patients needing treatment in Boston. She was an amateur cellist, dog lover, avid gardener, and a fierce Scrabble player. While attending Wesleyan University she met Doris Shallcross. Over their mutual love of travel, education, and dogs they became lifelong friends. Louise was kind, generous, and those who came into her life were lucky to call her “friend”. Besides her parents, Louise was predeceased by Dorie, Aunt Lorraine, and a slew of beloved Golden Retrievers (Mitzi, Sam and Cindy). Louise is survived by her brother Richard Russell of Kearny, NJ, affectionately known to family and friends as Karl. She also leaves cousin Harald Kanus, his wife Dagmar and their children Stefan Kanus and Katrin Kanus Sieber in Germany; Cousin Patricia Price of South Carolina; friend Madelyn Breen who was instrumental in her care-giving and friend Terez Waldoch. And she leaves Annie, her last Golden Retriever who at the age of 13 is 91 in dog years. There will be a calling hour on Saturday March 16, 2024, at the DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME of Northampton from 9-10 AM, a prayer service will begin at 10 AM in the Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow in Spring Grove Cemetery, Northampton. In lieu of flowers donations to honor Louise may be made to The Hospice Shop, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 165 Industrial Drive, Northampton MA 01060.

Louise A. Kanus

January 13, 1933 - March 11, 2024