Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

Kandis K. Cush

March 15, 1957-February 21, 2023

Kandis Kay (Harris) Cush passed away on February 21, 2023. She was 65.

Kandis Kay was born March 15, 1957, then adopted by Daniel "Pete" and Marabelle (Dunning) Harris of Dayton, Wash., a few days after her birth. She lived her young life on a wheat farm with her parents and one brother, Alan, and attended Dayton Schools. When she was in first grade, she would walk down the hill from the house to the highway with her brother, where they would catch the bus to school. She had no trouble making that jaunt down the hill, Alan recollects. It wasn't until her father was tragically taken from this earth from a combine accident, that they, a short while later, moved to town. Kandis later moved to Woodinville, Wash.

When Kandis returned to Dayton, she married Joe Cush July 4, 1991, and they made their home on 4th Street. She made the whole town of Dayton her home and everyone in it was her family and her friend. Their home was lost when a fire fully engulfed it, burning it to the ground in 2019.

She was a homemaker, most of the time, and anyone who came around was welcomed with open arms. She never knew a stranger.

Kandi, as many of her good friends called her, was such a good person. She and her husband Joe would always help people in need.

Many touted her as a good cook, especially her lasagna. When she baked muffins, plenty were made, enough to share among her older friends. At Christmas, she made sheets of cookies for friends and family. All this cooking was done without a recipe.

Horses were a passion of Kandis, and she loved riding in the Dayton Days parades, or lending a helping hand with young 4-Hers just learning how to ride. When her friend LeeAnn Literal started a horse 4-H program, she spent hours leading or walking kids on their horses until they built up confidence to take the reins for themselves. One such 4-Her parent, Adrian Close, has pictures of Kandi with her daughter Mikayla that are priceless.

July fourth was always a fun time at Kandi and Joe's place. There was always a big barbeque, potato salad and all the rest.

Kandi was a member and past president of the Eagles Auxiliary, and a member of the Friends of the Fairgrounds.

When Kandi entered the hospital for the last time, so many people came to see her. One man, who manned the desk at the Dayton General Hospital, said he had never seen so many people come to see one person in his time at the many hospitals at which he had previously worked. "She must have been a very special person to many people," he said. "He just had not seen anything like that in his life."

Kandi was so gently cared for by her husband and family during the many years of her illness. We must say goodbye to a beautiful, gentle soul. You will be so very missed here on earth.

Kandis was preceded in death by her father and mother.

-Submitted photo

Kandis K. Cush

She is survived by her husband, Joe Norbert Cush; brother Alan (Cindy) Harris; six children: Daniel (Jessica); Kimmy (Patrick); JoHanna (Dion), Joey (Karla), Amy (Rob) and youngest Norbert or "Guppy" as he was so fondly called; 21 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She was an amazing woman who was loved and respected by all.

A celebration of life and potluck meal is planned at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building on April 22, 2023 from 12-3 p.m. Bring your memories and favorite dish to share with family and friends.

She will be inurned in a private family ceremony.

Donation can be made to the Dayton Eagles Aerie 2618, 258 E. Main, Dayton, WA 99328.