Tillie Natasha Puskarich, 90, passed away Friday, January 3, 2014 at Saybrook Landing.
She was born July 2, 1923 in Ontario, PA, the daughter of Nick and Anna (Swate) Zinko and had been an Ashtabula resident for the past 4 years, after living most of her entire life in Pennsylvania.
She graduated as valedictorian of her class at Ellsworth High School.
Tillie worked as a cook at numerous restaurants, but most notably was the head chef for the George Washington Hotel in Washington, PA.
A member of the Cokeburg Presbyterian Church for 50 years, she was extremely dedicated to her church. She served on the Ladies Auxiliary and as a Elder, helped with countless spaghetti dinners, performed custodial work at the church whenever needed, and enjoyed reading her bible.
She enjoyed baking and cooking and those that new her loved the many delicious creations she would make. An excellent seamstress, she made many of her daughters clothes which many people thought were expensive designer fashions. She was also a great dancer and loved polka music.
Always known for helping others, Tillie was a loving wife and mother and excellent role model.
Her survivors include her daughter, Sylvia Heusinger (husband Earle “Chuck” Jr) of Ashtabula; two grandchildren, Earle “Chip” Heusinger III (wife Natalie) and Stephanie Waggoner (husband Steve); five great-grandchildren, Natasha, Alexandra “Lexi”, Logan, Kyle, and Brooke; one sister, Ann Rebich of Cokeburg, PA; and many nieces and nephews to whom she was very close and kept in touch with throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Matthew Puskarich on May 15, 2011; three sisters, Catherine “Kay” Cecil, Olga “Nellie” Messiano, and Mary Yuvan; one brother, Peter Zinko; and her parents.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Monday, January 6, 2014 at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula and Tuesday, January 7, 2014 from 6 to 8 PM in the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 619 Main St. Bentleyville where services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday January8, 2014 with Rev. Fran Skariot officiating. Interment will follow in the Beallsville Cemetery, Beallsville, PA. 
Contributions may be made to the Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, 100 Washington St., Cokeburg, PA 15324 or the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.