Margaret Kunes

Margaret Lester Ransom Kunes received her angel wings on Valentine's Day, going peacefully in her sleep, just shy of her 96th birthday. Born in Jacksonville, Tennessee to William Harrison and Grace Gillette Ransom, the family moved to Towanda, PA., where she attended Towanda High School. She attended Business College in Harrisburg, PA and returned to Towanda where she met and married Arnold Robert Kunes in 1946. She was a tireless and hard working mother of 5 children, always baking, sewing clothes and providing food from her garden. They both were instrumental in founding Trinity Lutheran Church there and became part of the fabric of the church. She sang in the choir, with her family and her husband, who was the organist and choir director. With her husband Arnold's passing in 1996, she moved to Quakertown, PA and was cared for by her son, John and his family. She was a devout member of the Trinity Lutheran Church there, spending her time sewing, crafting and baking to support the social ministries there. As her health declined, her son-in-law and daughter, Martin and Helen Browne invited her to live with them in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. She enjoyed the beautiful island life for many years and quickly became adopted as "Mom" by the islanders, who consistently speak of her loving countenance, compassion and beautiful smile. As her physical health continued to decline, she moved to Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee, Florida, where she enjoyed daily visits with her sister Eileen "Butch" Brown, who also lived there. Her care givers and fellow residents always commented on her ever present smile and graciousness. A common and consistent thread of tributes to Margaret was about her smile, compassion, love and unconditional caring about everyone she met. Margaret has been greeted in heaven by her beloved husband Arnold and daughter Margaret, her parents and sisters, Helen, Dorothy and Eileen and her brother William. She is survived by 4 children and their spouses: Arnold Jr. and Sondra Kunes of Layton Utah, Helen Kunes Browne and Martin Browne of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Mary Kunes Sandoval and Luis Sandoval of Los Angeles, CA, and John and Kate Kunes of Quakertown, PA. Mom was deeply proud of her close family, who visited her often in Florida: She enjoyed her grandchildren- Marcus Browne, Marilee Browne, Nancianne and her husband Marcus Malinder, Jennifer and her husband Justin Driscoll, Matthew, Melissa, Mark, Mackenzie, and Michael Kunes, and Pam Sandoval. She also loved her wonderful gift of 6 great-grandchildren- Lily and Aidan Driscoll, Isaiah Jacobs, Moshe, Micah and Niyahna Malinder. Homegoing Celebration Services will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Towanda on Friday February 27, with a viewing at 9:00 a.m. and services at 10:00 a.m. followed by a gathering at Bradford Memorial Cemetery. The family requests guests wear bright colors, signifying our joy in Margaret's radiant life and her peaceful transition to heaven. In lieu of flowers, Margaret has requested donations be made to her granddaughter's foundation- Lily's Hope, which John Kunes and her grandchildren, Justin and Jen Kunes Driscoll founded to provide supplies for babies, children, and their families with unexpected and urgent needs due to premature birth, a need they personally experienced when their daughter Lily was born. http://www.lilyshopefoundation.org/donate/