Matilda "Tillie" Bush

Matilda "Tillie" Bush, Topeka, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2013, at Midland Hospice House. She was born at 152 Davison Avenue in Lynbrook, Long Island, New York on October 31, 1926, to Grace and Anthony Muro. Tillie married Harry A. Bush on August 31, 1947, in Lynbrook and they enjoyed 62 years together, mostly on Long Island until they moved to Topeka to be near their children in 1995. Harry preceded her in death in March 2009. A movie buff, she worked at the Lynbrook Movie Theater, known as “The Itch”, using her flashlight to direct friends and moviegoers to their seats. After her marriage she lived in East Islip, and worked as a Suffolk County New York election-polling official, for Kresge Department Store, at the Seascape Restaurant and as the secretary of the Suffolk County Women’s Bowling Association, and was a nationally certified bowling lane inspector. Tillie was an avid bowler in leagues on Long Island and in Topeka. As a delegate and bowler, she and Harry traveled around the country to the annual WIBC national tournaments. Tillie was an annual participant in the New York Empire State Games, Sunflower State Games and the Kansas Senior Olympics, winning many awards in bowling. She also enjoyed gardening and had the greenest of thumbs. Next to bowling and gardening she enjoyed cooking. With an Italian heritage she would cook the best macaroni sauce and just about any other meal you could think of; waistline beware! She was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Widows and Widowers Club and was an avid collector of turtles, and was an Imperial Turtle with the International Association of Turtles. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Harry; sisters Madeline Calicchio, Theresa Howe, Carmela Muro , Patricia Keenan; brothers, Salvatore and Michael Muro. She is survived by her son, Richard; daughter, Gail Kennedy (Bob); grandson Shane, all of Topeka; brother -in-law Robert Keenan (Patricia) of Lake Forest, California; as well as many nieces and nephews, and her beloved Yorkie, Kacee. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 29 at 1:30pm at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, with interment following at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery in Topeka. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:15pm. The family thanks Tillie’s doctors for their care, and the medical staff at Stormont Vail Hospital, AMR and Station 7 with the Topeka Fire Department for their many visits to the house, and her care providers at Midland Care Hospice for their compassion and wonderful service they provided during her final days. Memorial contributions can be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, The Kansas Senior Olympics or Midland Care Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Matilda "Tillie" Bush

October 31, 1926 - October 24, 2013