GOWANDA — Stefanena “Stevie” Kysor age 96 passed away at home Friday morning October 4, 2024 surrounded by family.
Born in Alliance, Ohio September 16, 1928 one of three children born to George and Vera (Kotsuki) Dimitruck.
Stefanena received her Bachelor of Science and Master Degree’s in Education from the State University of Ohio at555 Akron. Stefanena taught 16 years with the Akron School District in Ohio. Stefanena married Charles C. Kysor in Gowanda, August 26, 1967, after their marriage Stefanena continued teaching and was a well respected and loved K-12 certified Physical Education Teacher for the Gowanda Central School District . Her NYS teaching career spanned more than 30 years . Always health conscious and her love of swimming was recognized throughout her career where she received many accolades and citations that recognized her dedication to swimming as a master swimmer. Her coaching history includes the origination of the Gowanda Wave Runners Swim Team, Gowanda Track and Field assistant coach , Gowanda Weight Room Instructor and Gymnastics Coach. Her own swimming career provided multiple Gold Medal Honors competing in the Master Swimming Program, Empire State Games, and Nationals , Stefanena was inducted to the Gowanda Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
For more than 50 years Ms. Kysor’s mission has been to educate children and provide swim lessons to the Gowanda Community. She was the recipient of the 2023 Gowanda Central School Hall of Fame Distinguished Educator Award. She took great pride in the success of the many people young and old that she taught to swim. Her goal in life had been to educate our community on the importance of water safety and the benefits of physical fitness.
Survivors include her son Benjamin (Jennifer Lehner) Kysor, grandchildren; Jessica (Casey) Wolff, Kevin (Sarah) Kysor, Jeffrey (Kristal) Kysor, Michael Crouse and Samantha Collins. Stevie is also survived by a daughter in-law Beverly Amodio, sister in-law Loretta Dimitruck, and several great grandchildren along with nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents Stefanena was preceded in death by her husband Charles C. Kysor (Feb. 8, 2001), her son Stacy Lee Amodio (Jan. 23, 2022) , a brother George Dimitruck and a sister Anastasia Deli.
Friends may call 4:00-6:00pm Tuesday October 8, 2024 at the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda. A Service to follow the 6pm visitation. Pastor Michael Nace to Officiate.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Gowanda Booster Club, 35 Center St ., Gowanda, NY 14070, the Gowanda High School Pool was dedicated in her name, The Stefanena Kysor Natatorium.