Kayla Nicole Cusac

PEKIN ~ Kayla Nicole Cusac, 37, of Pekin, passed away at 8:07 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2022 in the Emergency Room at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, after a long battle with addiction and mental health.

She was born August 15, 1984 in Peoria to Terry and Jackie (Bown) Cusac.

Surviving are one daughter, Lailah Cox of Pekin; two sons, Cole Cox and Lincoln Cusac, both of Pekin; her parents of Pekin; three sisters, Megan (Marc) Houghton of Morton, Deidra (Vinnie) Kolves of Topeka and Jacklyne Cusac of Pekin; two brothers, Tyler (Keri Best) Cusac and Logan Cusac, both of Pekin; maternal grandparents, Richard and Leah Bown of Eureka; paternal grandparents, Ray and Sharon Cusac of Villa Rica, Georgia and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her childhood best friend, Tyler Hall.

Kayla struggled with addiction for many years. She was currently in a rehabilitation facility in Chicago receiving help, when she tragically passed away.

Her family wants others to have empathy for people in their darkest times and speak of the realities of drug addiction and mental health, hoping others can learn from her battle.

Kayla’s battle did not define the person she was. She was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin. She thought the world of her children. She thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with her friends and family. Kayla never met a stranger, which allowed her nonjudgmental heart of gold to carry on a conversation with anyone.

She also loved watching movies, listening to music and had a great love for animals. The love she had for animals inspired her to spend many hours volunteering at TAPS in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 6 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded following the service.

The family takes comfort in knowing that Kayla is surrounded by light, free from the struggles that haunted her. They would have given anything for her to experience that freedom in her life.

Memorial contributions may be given to Fight the Fight, 145 Urbandale, East Peoria, Illinois 61611 or Grafleman Farms Rescue, 5317 West Farmington Road, Peoria, Illinois 61604.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com