Helen Kassia "Kass" Fleisher

1959 - 2023

Helen Kassia "Kass" Fleisher

Oct. 21, 1959 - Jan. 6, 2023

NORMAL - Helen Kassia "Kass" Fleisher, 63, a professor of English at Illinois State University, passed away on Friday, January 6 , 2023, at her residence in Normal, IL. She was born in Wilmington, DE, on October 21, 1959, to Norman and Jolene (Wolford) Fleisher. She married Joe Amato of Syracuse, NY, also an English professor at ISU, on July 1, 1995. They divorced in 2013 and remained close.

Kass is survived by her father, Norman, of West Chester, PA; her brother, John D. "JD" (Kathy) Fleisher, of Wilmington, DE; stepsisters: Helen (John) Butler, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Lentha (Ted) Wolf, of Reinholds, PA, and Shelley (Pat) Cooper, of Pittsburgh, PA; cousin, Audrey (Ansel) Wolford, of Linville, NC; aunt, Lentha (Jim) Piner of Pineville, LA; nieces: Ashlie and Samantha; and numerous cousins.

Kass was predeceased by her mother, Jolene; and by her stepmother, Gail (Varner) Fleisher.

Kass was a graduate of Dickinson College (BA, 1981), University of North Dakota (MA, 1989), and Binghamton University (PhD, 1993). Prior to pursuing her graduate degrees, she was Administrative Manager and Producer at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and while in grad school at Binghamton she became a champion country western line dancer. She was the author of five books, coeditor with Caitlin M. Alvarez of a literary collection, had published countless essays and reviews, and was coauthor with Joe of a number of award-winning screenplays.

A memorial celebration will be held later in the spring by the Department of English at ISU.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation either to YWCA Stepping Stones of McLean County or Planned Parenthood.

Condolences and memories may be shared at kiblerbradyruestman.com.