Tillie Natasha Puskarich

Former head chef at The George Washington hotel
Tillie Natasha Puskarich, 90, passed away Friday, January 3, 2014, in Saybrook Landing, Ashtabula, Ohio.
She was born July 2, 1923, in Ontario, a daughter of Nick and Anna Swate Zinko. She had been an Ashtabula resident for the past four years, after living most of her entire life in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Puskarich graduated as valedictorian of her class at Ellsworth High School.
She worked as a cook in numerous restaurants, but most notably was the head chef in The George Washington hotel in Washington.
A member of Cokeburg Presbyterian Church for 50 years, she was extremely dedicated to her church. She served on the ladies auxiliary and as an elder, helped with countless spaghetti dinners, performed custodial work at the church whenever needed and enjoyed reading her Bible.
Mrs. Puskarich enjoyed baking and cooking and those that knew her loved the many delicious creations she would make. An excellent seamstress, she made many of her daughters clothes, which many people thought were expensive designer fashions. She also was a great dancer and loved polka music.
Always known for helping others, she was a loving wife, mother and excellent role model.
Surviving are a daughter, Sylvia Heusinger (husband Earle “Chuck” Jr.) of Ashtabula; two grandchildren, Earle “Chip” Heusinger III (wife Natalie) and Stephanie Waggoner (husband Steve); five great-grandchildren, Natasha, Alexandra “Lexi,” Logan, Kyle and Brooke; a sister, Ann Rebich of Cokeburg; and many nieces and nephews to whom she was very close and kept in touch with throughout the years.
Deceased are her husband of 65 years, Matthew Puskarich, who died May 15, 2011; three sisters, Catherine “Kay” Cecil, Olga “Nellie” Messiano and Mary Yuvan; a brother, Peter Zinko; and her parents.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula, and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314, where services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 8, with the Rev. Fran Skariot, pastor of Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Beallsville Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, 100 Washington Street, Cokeburg, PA 15324 or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. www.ducro.com