Rev. Susan L. Koury- Kennedy, 73, of Mahanoy City, died Wednesday November 25, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown PA
Born in Pottsville, July 18, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Bernadette (Elhajj) Koury – Barket.
She graduated from Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA with a BA Degree in Fine Arts, did Graduate work in glassblowing at Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC; and trained at New Life for Girls from 1976-1979. Sue became a licensed Minister in 1979 by the Independence Assembly of God and was ordained in 1983 at Faith Tabernacle in Chicago, IL. She co-directed North Central New Life for Girls in Chicago an outreach ministry that took in crisis teens. She co-pastored fellowship of Christian Assembly in Monee, IL. Her and her husband founded & co-directed Resurrection Life Ministries in Aurora, IL a home for unwed pregnant women in crisis as an alternative for abortion where they shelters hundreds of women and saved hundreds of babies. She was an art teacher at Covenant Christian School in Aurora, IL for 8 years. She had an art store The Glory Shoppe & taught art at Trinity school in St Augustine, FL. She was the Assistant Pastor at the Community Mission in Minersville, PA & continued to counsel all over Schuylkill county.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Stephen R. Kennedy in 2014 and a brother George Barkett.
Surviving are 2 daughters Angel Ramey, her husband Ryan of West Deptford, NJ; Laurie Karpathakis, her husband Anthony of Hicksville, NY; grandson Mitchell Ramey, granddaughter Penelope Karpathakis; brother Anthony Koury of Simpsonville, SC; 2 sisters, Antoinette Koury- Hughes of Pottsville, PA; Bernadette Koury- Dutton of Annapolis, MD; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday Nov. 30, 2020 from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair, PA 17970. The Rev. Robert Alonge will be officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Monday at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
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Dear Antoinette and family;
It is with grief and solace that I write this note to you.
I just heard about Susan yesterday. It came as something unwanted for me and unwarranted for Susan.
Throughout high school Susan and I came in contact with one another quite frequently because of our artistic talents and pursuits. I remember on a number of occasions doing a variety of drawings for the year book and various activities with her.
In life we all take various paths. Mine into the US Navy after graduation, and Susan to pursue a life of kindness, consideration and devotion to people she didn’t even know, but helped tremendously. I do not know all of the circumstances for her calling, but I understand she assisted, and contributed to peoples lives, who in most circumstances, where battling some kind of life’s inability to provide them with a break.
My pursuits, as did Susan’s, took us to various parts of the country and mine took me to some places around the world where we lost touch with one another. But, there were times, as with so many people, when her name would pop into my head for no reason.
I moved to Florida and now Atlanta so I didn’t take the time to attend very many of our class reunions, but at the last one 10 years ago I remember talking to Susan and I said to her “Susan, what is it that makes people realize that we have a passion for what we do?” She answered: “They can see it in your eyes.” If there is one thing I remember about Susan it was her beautiful eyes that reflected what all of us should try be more of in this world, especially now; Kinder, gentler, compassionate and more interested in our fellow man than ourselves. From what I understand Susan exemplified that aspect of humanity
I lost my wife to Cancer in January of 2018, and my sister 14 months later to the same disease so I understand your grief and your sorrow, but what helped me through it was remembering their decades of a beautiful life rather than the moment of their passing. Take some joy in knowing that everyone Susan touched in life is what makes us immortal. Legacies are built on the number of kindnesses you provide to your fellow man and more than the number of times you go to church.
Again, I am sorry for your loss and the loss to the hundreds and maybe thousands of people that Susan touched in her life. I am sorry I am not there to attend the Celebration of her Life, but understand that I will be thinking of her and all of you on Monday.
Sincerely
John Fronza
Our sister, Sue, was used mightily by the Holy Spirit of God. She leaves a spiritual legacy and great works for the Kingdom. Hundreds of babies live because you gave. We love you, Sue
Tony and Idell