Obituary of Ann M. Kozlowski

KOZLOWSKI ANN M. Age 76 of Big Flats,NY passed away on Friday June 19,2015 after a brief illness. Ann, a long time resident of Big Flats, was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on February 21,1939 to William Henry Mills Jr. and Helen MacPherson Mills, the second of thirteen children. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brothers William III (Patty Young), Robert (Joyce), and Thomas (Natalie). She is survived by her siblings Mary Helen (Peter) Kalita, Nancy Pack, Richard (Debra), Edward (Jackie), Therese Ferris, Susan, Michael (Sue), Catherine Lobdell, and George (JoAnn). Ann attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Mary's High School in Niagara Falls, NY. While in college she worked part-time as a cashier at Loblaw's and graduated with a B.S. in Education from D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY in 1961. During that time she taught in several elementary schools in the Niagara Falls area. She married Theodore R. Kozlowski on June 24, 1961, and moved to Troy, NY where she continued teaching in the Cohoes School District. After her husband's graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1963, they spent a brief time in Corning, NY prior to completing a tour in the US Army from 1964 to 1966. They then returned to the local area where they lived for the rest of her life with the exception of the year 1975-1976 when she lived in Paris, France. Throughout these excursions they had five children: Dr. Christopher (Kerry) Kozlowski of Reno, NV; Karen Kennedy (John) of Carmel, IN; David Kozlowski of Ithaca, Dr. Maureen Schurman (Ted) of Charlton, NY; and Natalie (Tracey Kee) Kozlowski of Denton, TX. Ann is survived by her grandchildren Daniel, Nicholas and Chloe Kennedy; Kathleen, Natalie and Celia Schurman; Luke and Alexander Kozlowski. Ann had thirty nieces and nephews and another eighteen grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was active as a homemaker, substitute teacher (St. Mary Our Mother) and volunteer. She was a staunchly devoted Roman Catholic who was active in the church throughout her life. This included the Christian Family Movement in Troy, NY, a discussion group for couples. She took her knowledge, experience and organizational skills with her to St. Mary Our Mother Parish and was involved there for forty years in various activities such as CFM, Renew, Book and Bag and serving as an acolyte. Also important to Ann was Meals on Wheels of Chemung County where she volunteered in the kitchen and served on the board for many years. Ann loved to travel, especially if it involved seeing her family. Her grandchildren brought her great joy and were the lights of her life and she loved each and every one and tracked their exploits with e-mail and texting. She remained close with her many siblings, and shared the joy and feelings of good will that were characteristics of her personality. Those characteristics were extended to her many friends wherever she went. Ann and Ted were happily married for fifty-four years in a marriage that was nourished by her as wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Funeral arrangements are handled through the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS, NY. The family will meet friends on Thursday June 25 from 5-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Our Mother Church 816 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY on Friday, June 26 2015 at 10AM. The family will provide their own flowers. Those wishing may remember Ann through memorials to St. Mary Our Mother School 811 Westlake Street Horseheads, NY 14845, Notre Dame High School 1400 Maple Avenue Elmira, NY 14904, Meals on Wheels of Chemung County 150 Fox Street Elmira, NY 14901, or any local charity of your choice.