Martha Cusimano, a beloved figure in both the Lehigh Valley and Kissimmee, Florida, passed away on November 30, 2023, at the age of 82. Her family and friends are now rallying to fulfill her final wish: the construction of a food pantry and community center in Kissimmee. This initiative is part of a broader effort to honor her legacy of service and dedication to community welfare.
Cusimano was deeply committed to various charitable causes throughout her life. After retiring in 2008 from her role as the first executive director of the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, she relocated to Florida but maintained strong ties with her friends and community back in Pennsylvania. Her advocacy and fundraising efforts significantly benefited numerous organizations in both regions, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the welfare of others.
Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1943, Cusimano was raised in a family that valued service and community engagement. Her mother was a special education teacher, and her father worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. The strong values instilled in her from a young age propelled her into a life of active involvement in community service.
Throughout her life, Cusimano exemplified leadership and tenacity. She organized numerous fundraising events, including the first marathon for Catholic schools in 1979, which raised significant funds for Catholic education. Her work extended beyond local efforts; she organized the prestigious Concours d’Elegance, a vintage car show that raised over $100,000 annually for burn prevention initiatives.
Additionally, she was instrumental in establishing the highly successful Lehigh Valley Auto Show, which has raised over $2 million for local charities since its inception in 1997. Her friends describe her as someone who would not take no for an answer, always pushing forward with her ideas and encouraging others to join her in making a difference.
As her health declined due to a long battle with cancer, Cusimano’s focus remained on community service. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and played a vital role in fundraising for the St. Rose of Lima Church in Kissimmee. Here, she helped raise $700,000 for a food pantry that served over 70,000 people during the pandemic.
In her last days, Cusimano’s commitment to the Lima Center project, which aims to expand the community’s food pantry and include a commercial kitchen, became her final mission. Friends and family report that her last words were a heartfelt plea for their assistance in completing the project.
To honor her memory, a fundraising campaign has been launched to gather the final $300,000 needed to complete the Lima Center. This campaign aims not only to fulfill her dying wish but also to ensure that her spirit of giving continues to thrive in the community she loved.
Jim Cusimano, her husband, emphasized the importance of her legacy: “She was a very generous person and leader. She attracted others to help her in various missions.” The fundraising effort can be accessed through a GoFundMe page, allowing supporters to contribute and keep her vision alive.
Martha Cusimano’s life was a testament to the power of community involvement and the lasting impact one individual can make. Her family and friends remain dedicated to ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
