Dorothy Elizabeth Allison-Kusisto, 92

Dorothy Elizabeth Allison-Kusisto, 92, of Buffalo Grove, formerly of Northbrook, IL, and Los Altos, California, passed away Feb. 8 in Barrington after a long battle with vascular dementia, aphasia and pneumonia. Her children were at her side.

Dorothy was born March 24, 1919, in Detroit, MI, where she was raised. She was the proud daughter of Floyd Cornelius and Irene Viola Allison. A graduate of Alma College, Alma, MI, she majored in economics and religion. A lifelong advocate of education, and she both studied and taught her entire life. A world traveler, Dorothy preferred to be at home with her family and friends.  

Dorothy was an athlete who excelled in tennis, bowling, golf and baseball. She loved sports of all kinds. She was an artist who designed quilts, needlepoint (adorning walls of everyone she loved), scrapbooking, crafting and cooking. Her prized recipes and extravagant dinners will always be remembered. A passionate lover of music, Dorothy played the organ for many years. She volunteered with civic organizations and tutoring programs in Stanford, CA. She was a devoted caregiver for her own mother and thus became a senior advocate.

Her life motto was “I/We can do it!” no matter what the circumstance or obstacle. She was a mentor to her children for her values of honestly and humor. Aphasia did not diminish Dorothy’s humor or eloquent timing! She brightened the days of everyone she touched…..and was always more concerned about the welfare of others rather than herself.

She will be missed by many, but always live on in our hearts. We hope Dorothy’s inspiring life will influence all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her children will miss her dearly, but thank her for her courage in face of adversity, and guidelines on how to have a life well-lived.

“And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb” — Kahil Gibran.

Dorothy was the beloved wife of Oscar Perry Kusisto; loving mother of Susan Elizabeth Ashley and Thomas Perry Kusisto; loving grandmother of Dr. Michael Steketee, Gavin Steketee, Colleen Kacinski and Megan Martin; loving great-grandmother to eight grandchildren.

For information, call Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Lake Zurich, at (847) 540-8871, or visit www.ahlgrimffs.com. Private services will be held with family in Illinois. Gifts in memory of Dorothy may be made to University of Michigan (UMAP) and will support Aphasia Research, Programs and Scholarships. Please contact http://aphasiahelp.com/support/donate_online.html. Or write University of Michigan, Department of Neurology, UMHSI, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, APC 67941, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Or call (734) 645-8936. Maria Bertram, Director of Development.

Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home provided this information.