Ashley Kuzma laryngeal cancer: Ashley Ann Kuzma’s battle with cancer

Ashley Ann Kuzma laryngeal cancer: 32 year old Ashley Kuzma battled laryngeal cancer for four years before her death September 22, 2019.

The Pennsylvania teacher had a biopsy done in 2015 after experiencing chronic throat pain and voice hoarseness. Doctors found she had laryngeal cancer.

To fight the disease, she had 29 radiation treatments and was able to return to her students for the final day of high school that year.

But by February 2018, the tumors had returned, and a scan last year found Kuzma had cancer in her salivary glands.

Ashley Ann Kuzma laryngeal cancer: Ashley Kuzma’s battle with cancer

Kuzma had another 29 rounds of radiation, five chemotherapy treatments and the full removal of her vocal cords but it didn’t cure her cancer.

Last month before she died of cancer, Kuzma, in her final days, visited Mayan ruins in Mexico, attended a friend’s wedding, took part in the Club Hope Foundation’s Golden Scars of Hope photo shoot for cancer survivors, and organized her own memorial.

She even asked that her family not mourn her death but appreciate the time she had alive.

Read her obituary below as published in the Erie Times-News on Oct. 3, 2019. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

When you have recurrent laryngeal cancer that just won’t take no for an answer, you have a lot of time to think about death.

The good thing is I no longer have to worry about saving for retirement, paying off student loans, or trying not to get skin cancer???

One positive outcome from having recurrent cancer was that it taught me to let go of the insignificant things and to just enjoy the people and places. After three recurrences, my body finally had enough and I passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic.

I was born on May 21, 1987 in Beaver County, Pa. I grew up in Conway and attended Freedom Area High School (class of 2005). I earned a Bachelor’s in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh (class of 2009), where I also became a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

I completed my teaching certificate and Master of Education degree at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. After I graduated high school, my family moved to Erie.

While I spent a few years teaching in Lancaster County, I returned to Erie to plant my roots and became a gifted support teacher at McDowell Intermediate High School. In my spare time, I enjoyed reading, cuddling with my cats, wine tasting, relaxing on my dad’s boat, watching movies, golfing, decorating my house, watching football (go Steelers!), appreciating a good sunset, and watching TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, the original Will and Grace, and Friends.

While in college I spent a semester abroad in London and was able to travel to Paris, France, Krakow, Poland (it had been a goal of mine to visit Auschwitz for many years), Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome, Italy. Some of my favorite family vacations include experiencing the awe of the Grand Canyon and enjoying the sun, sand, and family time in the Outer Banks.

After I found out my cancer was back for the fourth time, I went to Mexico and saw Chichen Itza. I am extremely grateful for the life that I lived.

I was fortunate to have a loving family, supportive friends, a stable and meaningful job, and a house to call my own.

My wish for you is to stop letting insignificant situations stress you out. Do what is important to you. Relax and enjoy the company of those around you. What do you value in your life? In the end, that’s what matters.

I am survived by my wonderful parents, John William Kuzma and Vicky Lynn (Barron) Kuzma of Fairview, Pa.; my sister, Kristen Marie Kuzma of Clinton, Pa.; our family dog, Lizzy; my cats, Archie and Stella; my maternal grandmother, Verda Ann (Durst) Barron of New Brighton, Pa.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

I was preceded in death by my paternal grandparents, John Allen Kuzma and Dolores Marie (Gajewski) Kuzma; my maternal grandfather, Robert Eugene Barron; my childhood cat of 18 years, Sammy; our beloved family dog of 17 years, Dylan; and my cat, Leo.

Since I think viewings are too sad for everyone, I requested that my family host a celebration of my life.

Please join them on Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Perry Highway Hose Co. Oliver Rd., Erie, Pa. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania (Erie Humane Society), Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Center Erie, Pa., or Hope Lodge, Cleveland, Ohio.

This obituary was written by Ashley preceding her passing as part of the many preparations to make the transition easier on her family.