Hello UHS class of 1959,

My mother is the former Patti Kalamets, she graduated with you. I just wanted to let you know that she passed away today, January 4, 2007, at 1:50 p.m., with me (her second child of three) by her side, in Uniontown Hospital, after battling multiple myeloma, a bone/blood cancer, for over two years. Her obituary should run in the Herald-Standard tomorrow.

She waged a courageous 2+ year battle against multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer, despite many setbacks. She had kidney failure from it, had to be on dialysis, and had a heart attack and open heart surgery a month after her diagnosis in late 2004, and never quite sent the cancer into remission despite very risky procedures, yet she persevered for two more years.

We've been told that members of her class have been calling each other all day, so I just wanted to send this note straight from the family, just so you all know my mother never lost her sense of humor, or her good looks, right to the very end. My mom was a beautiful person in so many ways, and she was always proud to be a member of the UHS class of '59.

My mom was an only child and a spoiled brat. I've been told stories (mostly by her) of the beautiful clothes and jewelry she always had growing up. My grandparents spared no expense to make a beautiful girl look even more stunning, I guess. I am glad to know that she is remembered in that way, it would make her happy.

Here's my email address, kellyrusinack@yahoo.com, if anyone wants to know anything more or wants to tell me more stories of how ornery my mom was as a teenager. I'm going to miss her stories.

Kelly E. Rusinack (UHS Class of '83)
Bitner, PA
(724) 425-9609